Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 295 · 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?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) moved (c) When the light turned green
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) is from Kochi
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) the cat ran in (c) ran in
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) I know that the earth is round.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) finished his homework
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
36. 36.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
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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