Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 499 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) he finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
10. 10.What is the main 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
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.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
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) The kite is red
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) was very heavy
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.

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