Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 159 · 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?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) is from Kochi
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.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
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
21. 21.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
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
24. 24.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
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) is very kind (c) who runs the library
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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