Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 509 · 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:
   “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
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) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) went out to play (c) we went out to play
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.What is the main 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
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
25. 25.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
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) I have a friend (c) have a friend
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex 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.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

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