Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 502 · 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 thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
5. 5.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
6. 6.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
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (d) I know that the earth is round.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
18. 18.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
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Our school has a big library.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.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
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who sits next to me (b) is from Kochi (c) The girl is from Kochi
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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