Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 536 · 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) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The school band played the national anthem. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) has lived here (c) since she was a girl
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
14. 14.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
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.What is the main 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
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) Dev went to bed early (c) went to bed early
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
26. 26.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
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) The plants died (c) because nobody watered them
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) The plant will grow (c) will grow
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) The house is ours
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) it was very heavy (c) was very heavy

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