Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 270 · 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?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) It has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) stayed indoors (c) We stayed indoors
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) moved (c) When the light turned green
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) is very kind
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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