Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 493 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) It has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (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.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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