Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 489 · 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?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) added the rice
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) The book is about birds (c) which I borrowed
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) The lady who runs the library is very kind.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
27. 27.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
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
29. 29.What is the main 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
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.

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