Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 144 · 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?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.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) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
17. 17.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
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) when (c) although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.What is the main 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
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) Grandma has lived here (c) has lived here
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.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
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) get orange (c) you get orange

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