Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 222 · 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?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
4. 4.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
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
7. 7.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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) melts (c) If you heat ice
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.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
15. 15.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
16. 16.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
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet
26. 26.What is the subordinate 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
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) I know that the earth is round.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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