Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 387 · 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 bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) it melts (b) melts (c) If you heat ice
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The boy who won the race is my cousin.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) which (c) although
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) has lived in Pune
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) I know that the earth is round.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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