Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 539 · 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 room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) ran in (c) When I opened the door
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If you mix red and yellow (b) get orange (c) you get orange
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.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
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) have known Tara (b) since we were in Class 1 (c) We have known Tara
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When (b) Although (c) Which
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
35. 35.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.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
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.

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