Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 288 · 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?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.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) went another way (c) the bus went another way
10. 10.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
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.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
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) The bus leaves at ten
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) has lived here
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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