Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 210 · 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 farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.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
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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