Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 242 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.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
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
29. 29.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
30. 30.What is the main 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
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining

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