Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 224 · 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 box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
8. 8.What is the subordinate 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
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) is very kind
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) went out to play (c) we went out to play
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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