Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 481 · 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) I called Meera, but she did not answer.
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) I know that the earth is round.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) Mum added the rice (c) When the water boiled
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) is about birds

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