Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 109 · 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 main clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) is from Kochi
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
12. 12.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
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
22. 22.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
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
27. 27.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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
32. 32.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
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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