Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 521 · 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?
   “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) Dad switched on the fan (b) switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) If
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.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
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) is my cousin (b) who won the race (c) The boy is my cousin
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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