Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 259 · 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.What is the subordinate 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
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) The boy is my cousin
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the main 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
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) When the light turned green (c) moved
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
36. 36.What is the subordinate 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
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red

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