Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 379 · 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?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I know that the earth is round.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.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) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) it did not rain (c) did not rain
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
14. 14.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
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) is my cousin
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) Our school has a big library.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.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
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who

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