Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 344 · 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:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I know that the earth is round.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) It has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
28. 28.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
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) it did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.

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