Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 114 · 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?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) which (c) when
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) It has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) If you heat ice (c) it melts
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.What is the main 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
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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