Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 29 · 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 crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) We hope that it will not rain. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) thanked the man (c) We thanked the man
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) has lived here (c) since she was a girl
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.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
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake

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