Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 315 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) which (c) although
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) The bus leaves at ten
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.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
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) We hope that it will not rain.

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