Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 383 · 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) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
11. 11.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
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) is red (c) which Dad made for me
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) The mango was sweet (c) was sweet
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) was very heavy
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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