Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 248 · 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:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) We have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The river flows past our village.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) is from Kochi
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (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) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) has lived here
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) did not rain
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if

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