Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 277 · 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?
   “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
17. 17.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
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
19. 19.What is the main 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
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.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
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.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
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune

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