Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 533 · 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?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
8. 8.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
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
11. 11.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) The plant will grow
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) who (b) if (c) although
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
23. 23.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
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) We ate the cake
25. 25.What is the main 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
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) get orange (b) you get orange (c) If you mix red and yellow
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) The house is ours (c) is ours
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) because (b) who (c) although

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