Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 471 · 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 mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
9. 9.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
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.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
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
22. 22.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
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.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
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.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
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.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
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) is about birds (c) which I borrowed
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.

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