Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 395 · 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?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) finished his homework
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
16. 16.What is the main 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
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) is ours (c) The house is ours
35. 35.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
36. 36.What is the subordinate 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
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them

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