Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 189 · 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) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) I have a friend (c) have a friend
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) went another way (c) the bus went another way
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The lady who runs the library is very kind.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.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) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) The river flows past our village.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which

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