Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 111 · 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?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
3. 3.What is the subordinate 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
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) moved (c) When the light turned green
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
14. 14.What is the main 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
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) is very kind
21. 21.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
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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