Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 44 · 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?
   “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) Dev went to bed early (c) went to bed early
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) We have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) when (c) although
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) has lived in Pune (c) Riya has lived in Pune
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) switched on the fan (c) Dad switched on the fan
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died

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