Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 434 · 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 lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) we went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum said that dinner was ready. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
25. 25.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
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
27. 27.What is the main 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
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bell rang; the children ran out. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
29. 29.What is the subordinate 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
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since

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