Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 375 · 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 book which I borrowed is about birds. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The river flows past our village.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who

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