Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 238 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) Mum added the rice (c) When the water boiled
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
26. 26.What is the subordinate 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
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.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
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) it melts (c) melts
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) The plant will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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