Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 62 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
13. 13.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
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) is from Kochi
18. 18.What is the main 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:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
23. 23.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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) is from Kochi
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
32. 32.What is the main 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
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) has rained every day
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
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:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who

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