Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 503 · 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?
   “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.What is the subordinate 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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.What is the subordinate 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
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) is about birds (c) which I borrowed
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.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
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) will be cancelled
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although

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