Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 77 · 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:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
2. 2.What is the main 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
3. 3.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
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) has lived here (c) Grandma has lived here
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
18. 18.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
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although

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