Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 619 · 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 plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) will grow
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
16. 16.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) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) The house is ours
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework

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