Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 160 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) We thanked the man (c) who found our dog
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
14. 14.What is the subordinate 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
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
29. 29.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
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which

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