Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 468 · 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.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) You will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
6. 6.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
7. 7.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
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) The boy is my cousin
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
33. 33.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
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.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
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) has lived here (c) Grandma has lived here
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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