Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 195 · 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:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
10. 10.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
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
15. 15.What is the main 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
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) has lived in Pune
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.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
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five

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