Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 401 · 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) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) which (c) when
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
15. 15.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
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) We have known Tara
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
24. 24.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
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
39. 39.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
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa

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