Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 637 · 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?
   “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
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) It has rained every day (c) has rained every day
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.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
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) is ours (c) The house is ours
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) The river flows past our village.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
24. 24.What is the main 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
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because

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