Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 630 · 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?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) is red (c) The kite is red
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) did not rain
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) is about birds
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) wore a sweater (c) Riya wore a sweater
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.

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