Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 514 · 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 farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
2. 2.What is the main 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
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) wore a sweater (c) Riya wore a sweater
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) leaves at ten
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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