Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 575 · 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?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.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
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) thanked the man (c) We thanked the man
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) has lived here
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plants died because nobody watered them. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot

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