Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 136 · 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 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
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) is about birds (c) The book is about birds
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) has rained every day
21. 21.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
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
31. 31.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
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the main 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

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