Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 445 · 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.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
6. 6.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
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
13. 13.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
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.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
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
27. 27.What is the subordinate 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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) Dev went to bed early (c) went to bed early
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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