Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 376 · 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) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) has lived in Pune
5. 5.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
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) When I opened the door (c) ran in
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
31. 31.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
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) ate the cake (c) We ate the cake
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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