Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 424 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
3. 3.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
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) the match will be cancelled (c) will be cancelled
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) I have a friend (c) have a friend
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.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
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that

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