Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 174 · 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) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
3. 3.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
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) thanked the man (c) We thanked the man
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) is very kind
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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