Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 491 · 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?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) because it was raining (b) We stayed indoors (c) stayed indoors
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) The plant will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) he finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) went to bed early (c) because he was tired
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) Our school has a big library.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.

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