Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 457 · 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 boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) is my cousin (c) The boy is my cousin
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.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) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) If you heat ice (c) it melts
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) has lived here (c) since she was a girl
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
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) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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