Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 232 · 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 heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
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?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The river flows past our village.
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) the match will be cancelled (c) will be cancelled
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate 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
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) If you heat ice (c) melts
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which

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