Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 444 · 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?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
5. 5.What is the subordinate 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?
   “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) I have a friend (c) have a friend
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) will grow
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) went to bed early (c) because he was tired
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
38. 38.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
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired

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