Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 388 · 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 puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
34. 34.What is the subordinate 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
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) is about birds (c) which I borrowed
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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