Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 450 · 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?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) ran in (c) When I opened the door
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) moved (c) When the light turned green
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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