Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 1 · 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?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.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
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate 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
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.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 baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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