Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 83 · 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:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
5. 5.What is the subordinate 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
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.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
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.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
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) melts (c) If you heat ice
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) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) When the light turned green (c) moved
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.

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