Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 638 · 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 stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) The boy is my cousin
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.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
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.

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