Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 305 · 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 room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) is my cousin
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) went another way
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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