Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 124 · 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?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
13. 13.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
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
15. 15.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
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) We thanked the man
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) We thanked the man
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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