Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 538 · 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) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) The lady is very kind
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) he finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) melts (c) If you heat ice
15. 15.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
16. 16.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
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) leaves at ten
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) We thanked the man
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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