Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 296 · 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?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
4. 4.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
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
21. 21.What is the subordinate 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
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
23. 23.What is the subordinate 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
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) stayed indoors
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
37. 37.What is the subordinate 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
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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