Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 504 · 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?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) We thanked the man
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
14. 14.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
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
22. 22.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
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
29. 29.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
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.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
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.What is the main 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
39. 39.What is the subordinate 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
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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