Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 134 · 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?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) has lived here (c) Grandma has lived here
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) the bus went another way (c) went another way
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
16. 16.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
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) have known Tara
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.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
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who

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