Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 19 · 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?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) get orange (c) you get orange
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.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
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
16. 16.What is the subordinate 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
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
25. 25.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
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) Mum added the rice (c) When the water boiled
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) is my cousin
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because

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