Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 613 · 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 thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) thanked the man (c) We thanked the man
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) We have known Tara
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) is ours (c) The house is ours
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) ate the cake (c) We ate the cake
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
27. 27.What is the subordinate 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
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door

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