Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 544 · 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) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
15. 15.What is the subordinate 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
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) which (c) who

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