Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 48 · 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) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.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
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) you get orange
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
26. 26.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
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.What is the main 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
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) which (c) although
40. 40.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

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