Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 518 · 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) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
6. 6.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
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) The book is about birds
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
29. 29.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) will grow (c) if it gets sunlight
30. 30.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
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) has lived in Pune
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) Our school has a big library.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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