Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 180 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.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
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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