Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 140 · 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 boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
2. 2.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
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) will grow
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) has lived in Pune (c) Riya has lived in Pune
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
16. 16.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
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.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
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) has lived here (c) since she was a girl
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain

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