Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 378 · 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) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) is from Kochi
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
28. 28.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
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) We ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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