Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 284 · 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?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Who
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
28. 28.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
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) died (c) because nobody watered them
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) when (c) although
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) added the rice
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.

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