Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 208 · 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?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Our school has a big library.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) he finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) stayed indoors
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain

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