Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 523 · 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) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.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
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.What is the main 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
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.

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