Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 67 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) added the rice (c) When the water boiled
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
10. 10.What is the subordinate 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
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.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
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) We have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) has lived here
29. 29.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) since we came to Shimla (c) has rained every day
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) has rained every day
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who

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