Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 429 · 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 subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) has lived here
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) you get orange
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) is red (c) The kite is red
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) Grandma has lived here (c) has lived here
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) the cat ran in
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) you get orange

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