Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 100 · 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) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
3. 3.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
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) have known Tara
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) Dev went to bed early (c) went to bed early
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.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
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
16. 16.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) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
25. 25.What is the subordinate 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
26. 26.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
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.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) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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