Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 603 · 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:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) stayed indoors
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) it did not rain (c) did not rain
12. 12.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) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
15. 15.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
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
25. 25.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
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) added the rice (c) When the water boiled
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
33. 33.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
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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