Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 525 · 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:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lights went out; we lit a candle.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You should eat now, or your food will get cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) will catch the bus
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The teacher said that we did well. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) have known Tara (c) We have known Tara
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence

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