Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 611 · 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?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) switched on the fan (c) Dad switched on the fan
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
39. 39.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
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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