Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 371 · 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?
   “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
8. 8.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
9. 9.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
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) ran in (c) When I opened the door
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
27. 27.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
28. 28.What is the main 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
40. 40.What is the main 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

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