Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 453 · 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 test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) The lights went out; we lit a candle.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) although (c) because
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.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
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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