Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 170 · 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:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
11. 11.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
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) leaves at ten
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) the cat ran in
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) it did not rain (c) did not rain
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.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
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
25. 25.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
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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