Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 226 · 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) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The river flows past our village.
2. 2.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
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
18. 18.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
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) is ours (c) The house is ours
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) leaves at ten
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold

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