Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 269 · 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?
   “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) Grandma has lived here (c) has lived here
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.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
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) When the light turned green (c) moved
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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