Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 588 · 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 main clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) moved (c) When the light turned green
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
9. 9.What is the main 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
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.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
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
21. 21.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
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) has lived in Pune (c) Riya has lived in Pune
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) Grandma has lived here (c) has lived here
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) will catch the bus (c) if you leave now

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