Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 117 · 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.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Who
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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