Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 177 · 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 lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
3. 3.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
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) is ours (c) which has a blue door
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) switched on the fan (c) Dad switched on the fan
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) the match will be cancelled (c) will be cancelled
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.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
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.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
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which

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