Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 36 · 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:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.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
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
11. 11.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
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
23. 23.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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) get orange (c) you get orange
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
39. 39.What is the main 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
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater

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