Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 439 · 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) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) The mango was sweet (c) was sweet
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.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
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.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
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
11. 11.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
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) wore a sweater (c) Riya wore a sweater
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.

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