Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 340 · 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?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) switched on the fan
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) went another way (c) the bus went another way
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) You will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
8. 8.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
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) We thanked the man
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
17. 17.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
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) finished his homework
27. 27.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
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin

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