Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 364 · 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) Our class visited the science museum. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I know that the earth is round.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) The boy is my cousin
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) will be cancelled
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) The book is about birds (c) which I borrowed
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
38. 38.What is the subordinate 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
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.

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