Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 353 · 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?
   “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) When the light turned green (c) moved
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.What is the main 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
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) have a friend (c) I have a friend
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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