Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 59 · 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) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) We thanked the man (c) who found our dog
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) It has rained every day (c) has rained every day
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
9. 9.What is the subordinate 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
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) it melts (c) melts
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) The kite is red
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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