Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 475 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.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
14. 14.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
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) The house is ours
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) stayed indoors
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
29. 29.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
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
35. 35.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) has lived here
36. 36.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
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that

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