Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 535 · 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?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) did not rain
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) The boy is my cousin
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) went out to play
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.

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