Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 485 · 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:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
9. 9.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
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) the cars moved (c) moved
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) The kite is red (c) which Dad made for me
19. 19.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
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.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
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) was very heavy
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) the match will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who

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