Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 479 · 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 girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Because (c) Although
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
8. 8.What is the main 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
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) which (c) although
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) When the light turned green (c) moved
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) who runs the library (c) is very kind
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.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
27. 27.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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
39. 39.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
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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