Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 462 · 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:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) the match will be cancelled (c) will be cancelled
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.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
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) is red (c) which Dad made for me
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) have known Tara
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
36. 36.What is the subordinate 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
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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