Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 201 · 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) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) Dev went to bed early (c) went to bed early
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) The bus leaves at ten
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) added the rice (c) When the water boiled
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) the bus went another way (c) went another way
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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