Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 360 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) I know that the earth is round.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) went out to play (c) we went out to play
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.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) you get orange (c) get orange
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.

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