Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 437 · 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:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) The river flows past our village.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) the cat ran in (c) ran in
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) The river flows past our village.
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
36. 36.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
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
38. 38.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
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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