Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 465 · 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?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) which (c) although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) stayed indoors
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) is ours (c) which has a blue door

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