Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 233 · 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:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
3. 3.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
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.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
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) the cat ran in (c) ran in
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.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
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan

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