Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 13 · 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 house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
8. 8.What is the subordinate 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
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) we went out to play (c) went out to play
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
14. 14.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
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) The bus leaves at ten
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) have a friend (c) I have a friend

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