Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 121 · 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:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Who
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
6. 6.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
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.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
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.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
17. 17.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
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) went to bed early (c) because he was tired
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who

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