Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 31 · 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 baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) will be cancelled
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) the cars moved (c) moved
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
19. 19.What is the subordinate 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) The kite is red
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) It has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
38. 38.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
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) I have a friend (c) have a friend
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.

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