Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 546 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I know that the earth is round.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) added the rice (c) When the water boiled
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although the sky was cloudy (b) did not rain (c) it did not rain
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
28. 28.What is the main 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.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
37. 37.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) ate the cake (c) which Grandma baked
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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