Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 297 · 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?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) added the rice
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) is my cousin
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although

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