Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 348 · 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?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
6. 6.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
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plants died because nobody watered them. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) leaves at ten
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) switched on the fan (c) Dad switched on the fan
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.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
32. 32.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
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.

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