Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 534 · 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) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) who (c) which
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Although (c) Who
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) is about birds (c) The book is about birds
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) I have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) You will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) got full marks (c) Zoya got full marks
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.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
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) went out to play (c) we went out to play
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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