Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 131 · 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?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Our school has a big library.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
12. 12.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
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) The boy is my cousin (c) who won the race
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) the cars moved (c) moved
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow

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