Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 220 · 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?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
13. 13.What is the subordinate 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
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) wore a sweater (c) Riya wore a sweater
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
26. 26.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
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) The lady is very kind
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.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
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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