Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 330 · 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:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.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
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) the cat ran in
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) if (c) who
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
35. 35.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
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Who
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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