Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 306 · 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?
   “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?
   “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) has lived in Pune (c) Riya has lived in Pune
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) moved (c) When the light turned green
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
35. 35.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
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) has lived here (c) since she was a girl
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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