Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 217 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.What is the main 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
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
11. 11.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
12. 12.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
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) is about birds (c) The book is about birds
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) went to bed early (c) because he was tired
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) The house is ours
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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