Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 287 · 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 main clause in this sentence?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
3. 3.What is the subordinate 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
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) the cat ran in
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
19. 19.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
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
30. 30.What is the subordinate 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
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) The lady is very kind
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if

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