Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 454 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) added the rice
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our school has a big library.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
17. 17.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
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) The lady who runs the library is very kind.
20. 20.What is the main 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
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.What is the main 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
34. 34.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
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy

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