Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 427 · 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) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.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
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who

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