Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 130 · 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?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) The lady is very kind
5. 5.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
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.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
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) When the light turned green (c) moved
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.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
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
39. 39.What is the main 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
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.

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