Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 339 · 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 puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.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
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
7. 7.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) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) is my cousin (c) The boy is my cousin
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
17. 17.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
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) has lived here
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) melts (c) If you heat ice
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who

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