Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 245 · 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?
   “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
4. 4.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
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) which (c) when
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) is about birds
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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