Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 466 · 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?
   “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
5. 5.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
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) It has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) has rained every day
9. 9.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
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The river flows past our village.
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) is red (c) which Dad made for me
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.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
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
30. 30.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
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which

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