Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 409 · 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?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) ate the cake (c) We ate the cake
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) have known Tara
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) is about birds
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.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
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I know that the earth is round. (b) Our school has a big library. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) The lady is very kind
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence

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