Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 341 · 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 baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) is my cousin
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.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
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
21. 21.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
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.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
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.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
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) ate the cake (c) We ate the cake
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
38. 38.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) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) added the rice (c) When the water boiled

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