Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 276 · 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?
   “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
3. 3.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
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) was very heavy
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) It has rained every day (c) has rained every day
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
15. 15.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
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) is my cousin (c) The boy is my cousin
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
36. 36.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
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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