Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 377 · 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?
   “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) It has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
6. 6.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) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.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
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died

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