Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 604 · 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.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
3. 3.What is the subordinate 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
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) Dev went to bed early (c) went to bed early
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
19. 19.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
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) I have a friend (c) have a friend
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.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
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
36. 36.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
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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