Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 478 · 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:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.What is the subordinate 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
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
10. 10.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) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) went to bed early (c) because he was tired
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our school has a big library. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The lady who runs the library is very kind.
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) will catch the bus (c) You will catch the bus
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.

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