Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 110 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.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
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
11. 11.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
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.What is the subordinate 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
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
24. 24.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
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
34. 34.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 book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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