Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 653 · 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?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) The plant will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although

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