Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 108 · 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) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) I know that the earth is round.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.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
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) It has rained every day
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.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
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
27. 27.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
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
33. 33.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
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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