Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 370 · 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) We hope that it will not rain. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
11. 11.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
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) It has rained every day (c) has rained every day
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.What is the main 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
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
28. 28.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
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) We have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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