Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 261 · 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?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) it did not rain (c) did not rain
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) added the rice
14. 14.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
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.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
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.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
33. 33.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
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
39. 39.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
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) The boy is my cousin (c) who won the race

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