Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 324 · 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?
   “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I know that the earth is round.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) went out to play
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
11. 11.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
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) stayed indoors
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) went out to play (c) we went out to play
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
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 peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow

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