Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 300 · 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?
   “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
2. 2.What is the subordinate 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
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) We have known Tara
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) will be cancelled
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) The boy is my cousin (c) who won the race
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) Dev went to bed early (c) went to bed early
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

Free writing skills lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/english-writing-skills