Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 94 · 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?
   “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) The house is ours
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
10. 10.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
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) is my cousin
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) has lived here (c) Grandma has lived here
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
37. 37.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
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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