Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 433 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
2. 2.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
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) The girl is from Kochi
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.What is the subordinate 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
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) when (c) although
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
28. 28.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
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) We thanked the man (b) thanked the man (c) who found our dog
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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