Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 496 · 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?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) we went out to play (c) went out to play
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) The book is about birds (c) which I borrowed
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plants died because nobody watered them. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) the bus went another way (c) went another way
30. 30.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
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them

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