Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 202 · 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 heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) It has rained every day (c) has rained every day
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake

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