Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 508 · 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?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) We ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
13. 13.What is the subordinate 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
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
21. 21.What is the main 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
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) wore a sweater (c) Riya wore a sweater
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
34. 34.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
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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