Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 643 · 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:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.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
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) the cat ran in (c) ran in
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) The lady is very kind
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) have a friend (c) I have a friend
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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