Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 101 · 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.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
21. 21.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
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
24. 24.What is the main 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) The mango was sweet (c) was sweet
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) The plant will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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