Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 500 · 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:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) The boy is my cousin (c) who won the race
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.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
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
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.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
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
18. 18.What is the subordinate 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
19. 19.What is the main 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
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.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) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.

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