Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 432 · 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?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) The river flows past our village.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) The plant will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
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.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died

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