Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 622 · 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?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) has lived here
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
33. 33.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
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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