Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 470 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) he finished his homework
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) is from Kochi
14. 14.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
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.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
23. 23.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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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