Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 447 · 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 bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
3. 3.What is the subordinate 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
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.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
10. 10.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
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) The plant will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) added the rice
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
30. 30.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
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) which (c) when
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) The house is ours (c) is ours
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.

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