Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 473 · 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?
   “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.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
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.

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