Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 156 · 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?
   “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
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) he finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
3. 3.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
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Our school has a big library.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.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
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
31. 31.What is the subordinate 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
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.

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