Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 422 · 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) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
22. 22.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
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
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) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound 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) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
40. 40.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

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