Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 258 · 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 road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Who
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) We have known Tara
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.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
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) has lived in Pune (c) Riya has lived in Pune
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
39. 39.What is the main 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
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy

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