Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 302 · 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 subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our school has a big library.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) The book is about birds (c) which I borrowed
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.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
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.

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