Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 198 · 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?
   “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
11. 11.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
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) when (c) although
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) finished his homework
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
33. 33.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
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.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
37. 37.What is the main 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
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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