Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 47 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.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
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
7. 7.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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) has lived in Pune
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
22. 22.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
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) You will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) although (c) who

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