Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 398 · 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.What is the main 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
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.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
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
10. 10.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
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.What is the main 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
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
35. 35.What is the subordinate 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
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.

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