Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 564 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) It has rained every day
10. 10.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
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.

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