Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 408 · 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:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
14. 14.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
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.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 must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) it melts (c) melts
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) The river flows past our village.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) The house is ours
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.

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