Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 274 · 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.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
13. 13.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
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
15. 15.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
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if

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