Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 519 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) I know that the earth is round.
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) switched on the fan (c) Dad switched on the fan
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
5. 5.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
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
10. 10.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
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
26. 26.What is the subordinate 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
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green

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