Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 163 · 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:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The river flows past our village.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.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
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) leaves at ten
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
31. 31.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
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) is ours (c) which has a blue door
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.What is the main 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
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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