Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 281 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
16. 16.What is the main 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
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
21. 21.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
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
23. 23.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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) which (c) when
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) the bus went another way (c) went another way
36. 36.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
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.

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