Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 640 · 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?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
10. 10.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
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.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
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
28. 28.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
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plants died because nobody watered them. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The river flows past our village.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.

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