Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 515 · 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?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.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
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) stayed indoors
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
33. 33.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
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
38. 38.What is the subordinate 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
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because

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