Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 173 · 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?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) We thanked the man
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.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
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) The kite is red
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) is about birds (c) The book is about birds
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) The boy is my cousin
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) thanked the man
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) is about birds
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
31. 31.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
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) When the light turned green (c) moved
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) We have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who

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