Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 463 · 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 mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) went out to play
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) The lady is very kind
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Our class visited the science museum.

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