Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 513 · 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?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) thanked the man
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
20. 20.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
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) have a friend (c) I have a friend
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) Mum added the rice (c) When the water boiled
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.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
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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