Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 26 · 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?
   “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Our school has a big library.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
38. 38.What is the main 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
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.

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