Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 41 · 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 tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
8. 8.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
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
10. 10.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
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.What is the main 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
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.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
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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