Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 2 · 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 puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the main 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
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) which Dad made for me (b) is red (c) The kite is red
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) The lady who runs the library is very kind.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.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) you get orange (c) get orange
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune

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