Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 323 · 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?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
5. 5.What is the main 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
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.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
21. 21.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) since we came to Shimla (c) has rained every day
22. 22.What is the subordinate 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
23. 23.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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) will grow
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) it did not rain (c) did not rain
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
32. 32.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
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) was very heavy
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
36. 36.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
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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