Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 291 · 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?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
8. 8.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
9. 9.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
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) went out to play (c) we went out to play
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate 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

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