Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 187 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
7. 7.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
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) thanked the man (c) We thanked the man
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
14. 14.What is the subordinate 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
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
18. 18.What is the main 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
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
30. 30.What is the main 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
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that

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