Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 87 · 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 little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) has lived in Pune (c) Riya has lived in Pune
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.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
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plants died because nobody watered them. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) did not rain
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
29. 29.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
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Who
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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