Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 27 · 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?
   “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.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) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
11. 11.What is the subordinate 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
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
16. 16.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
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) is ours (c) The house is ours
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
24. 24.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
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.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
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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