Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 84 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) is about birds (c) which I borrowed
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
10. 10.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
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) Mum added the rice (c) When the water boiled
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) The house is ours (c) is ours
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) finished his homework
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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