Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 418 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) is very kind (c) who runs the library
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Who
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
22. 22.What is the main 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
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plants died because nobody watered them. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) it melts (c) melts
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) moved (c) When the light turned green
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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