Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 316 · 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.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
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.What is the main 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
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) Grandma has lived here (c) has lived here
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) is red (c) The kite is red
23. 23.What is the subordinate 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
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
25. 25.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
26. 26.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
27. 27.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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
31. 31.What is the subordinate 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
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) did not rain
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way

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