Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 350 · 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?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.What is the main 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) is very kind
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because

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