Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 605 · 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 subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.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
15. 15.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
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) ate the cake (c) We ate the cake
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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
30. 30.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
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) We thanked the man
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that

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