Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 55 · 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) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
13. 13.What is the subordinate 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
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) The kite is red (c) is red
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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