Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 632 · 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?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) It has rained every day
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
15. 15.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
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Our school has a big library.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) ran in (c) When I opened the door
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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