Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 138 · 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 kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) it did not rain (c) did not rain
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.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
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.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
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.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
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
37. 37.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
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who

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