Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 426 · 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 soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) When the rain stopped, we went out to play.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) get orange (c) you get orange
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) the bus went another way (c) went another way
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) he finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.

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