Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 46 · 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 match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) ate the cake (c) We ate the cake
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.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
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) The mango was sweet (c) was sweet
27. 27.What is the main 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
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) have a friend (c) I have a friend
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.

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