Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 639 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) switched on the fan (c) Dad switched on the fan
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) Grandma has lived here (c) has lived here
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) We thanked the man (c) who found our dog
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.What is the main 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 rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
22. 22.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
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple 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 kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.What is the subordinate 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
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
35. 35.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
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.

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