Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 169 · 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?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
8. 8.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
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.What is the main 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
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.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
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) is very kind
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which

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