Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 102 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) I know that the earth is round.
7. 7.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
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
9. 9.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
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) is my cousin (c) The boy is my cousin
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
18. 18.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
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) is red (c) The kite is red
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although

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