Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 558 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) has lived here (c) Grandma has lived here
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) ran in (c) When I opened the door
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
30. 30.What is the subordinate 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
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) We ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
38. 38.What is the main 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
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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