Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 529 · 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 soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
4. 4.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
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) when it got hot (c) Dad switched on the fan
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
9. 9.What is the main 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
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.What is the subordinate 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
13. 13.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
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) We have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) it did not rain (c) did not rain
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
31. 31.What is the subordinate 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
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.

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