Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 14 · 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:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Who
4. 4.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
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.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) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) ate the cake (c) We ate the cake
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.

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