Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 578 · 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.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) is about birds
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) is very kind (c) who runs the library
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.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
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) will be cancelled
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
27. 27.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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) ran in (c) When I opened the door
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
32. 32.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
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) We ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) you get orange
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining

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