Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 275 · 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?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) is from Kochi
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) The plant will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
26. 26.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
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) I know that the earth is round.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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