Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 347 · 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?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.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
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
27. 27.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
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) the match will be cancelled (c) will be cancelled
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Zoya got full marks (c) Although the test was hard
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.

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