Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 522 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
18. 18.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
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
26. 26.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
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.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
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan

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