Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 185 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The river flows past our village.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) It has rained every day
4. 4.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
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
9. 9.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
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
20. 20.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
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
23. 23.What is the main 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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) We have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
36. 36.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
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend

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