Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 373 · 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?
   “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) thanked the man
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Who
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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