Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 43 · 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) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
11. 11.What is the subordinate 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
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) leaves at ten
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
23. 23.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
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) went to bed early (c) because he was tired
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) is my cousin
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

Free writing skills lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/english-writing-skills