Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 317 · 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?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
12. 12.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
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin
20. 20.What is the subordinate 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
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) which (c) although
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) went out to play
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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