Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 54 · 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) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
2. 2.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Who (c) Although
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (b) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (c) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) you get orange (b) If you mix red and yellow (c) get orange
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) when (c) although
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great. (b) If you heat ice, it melts. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) The book is about birds (c) which I borrowed
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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