Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 312 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) Our school has a big library.
2. 2.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
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) I have a friend (c) have a friend
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) The plant will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) has lived in Pune
18. 18.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
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) it melts (c) melts
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) You will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the main 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

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