Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 431 · 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) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
5. 5.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
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) will be cancelled
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) is from Kochi
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) you get orange (c) get orange
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
14. 14.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
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
23. 23.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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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