Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 307 · 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 farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.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) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.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) since we came to Shimla (c) has rained every day
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) is red (c) which Dad made for me
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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