Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 413 · 40 questions

Writing tip (One clause leans on the other): Find the clause that starts with because, although, if, when, since, who, which or that — the subordinate clause (When the rain stopped). On its own it is not a complete sentence. The rest is the main clause (we went out to play): it makes complete sense alone. Choose the joining word by meaning: because → a reason, although → a surprise, if → a condition, when → a time, since → from a time until now, who → a person, which → a thing, that → what someone says, thinks or knows. Sort any sentence: one clause → simple; two main clauses → compound; a main clause + a subordinate clause → complex.

1. 1.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) is red (c) The kite is red
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) has lived in Pune
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) The mango was sweet (c) was sweet
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) is about birds (c) which I borrowed
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus

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