Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 97 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
11. 11.What is the subordinate 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
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) it melts (c) melts
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate 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
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
38. 38.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) The girl is from Kochi (c) is from Kochi
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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