Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 411 · 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?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
6. 6.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
7. 7.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
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
18. 18.What is the subordinate 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
19. 19.What is the subordinate 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
20. 20.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
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
31. 31.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
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.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
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (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) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died

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