Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 391 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
6. 6.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
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
14. 14.What is the main 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
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) If you heat ice (c) it melts
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
29. 29.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
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) wore a sweater (c) Riya wore a sweater
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
38. 38.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
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.

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