Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 467 · 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 main clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) which (c) although
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
7. 7.What is the main 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
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) We have known Tara
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks

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