Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 574 · 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) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) the bus went another way (c) went another way
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Who
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
39. 39.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
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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