Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 510 · 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?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
3. 3.What is the subordinate 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
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.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
6. 6.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
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) has lived here (c) Grandma has lived here
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) We ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
29. 29.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
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
31. 31.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
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.

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