Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 416 · 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:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.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
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) The book is about birds (c) which I borrowed
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.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
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although

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