Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 51 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you heat ice, it melts. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.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
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) has lived here (c) since she was a girl
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The plants died because nobody watered them. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) Our school has a big library.
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) is my cousin
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.

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