Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 597 · 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 ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) The bus leaves at ten
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
16. 16.What is the subordinate 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
17. 17.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
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) Mum added the rice
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.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
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) melts (c) If you heat ice
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although

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