Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 421 · 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:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) get orange (c) you get orange
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) You will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) went out to play
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) is ours (c) which has a blue door
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) is very kind (c) who runs the library
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.

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