Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 197 · 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) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
38. 38.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
39. 39.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
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When

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