Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 271 · 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?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) the cat ran in (c) ran in
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) is about birds (c) which I borrowed
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) Mum added the rice
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if

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