Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 410 · 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?
   “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) Our school has a big library.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) is very kind (c) who runs the library
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) ran in (c) When I opened the door
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although

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