Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 550 · 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:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
3. 3.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The teacher said that we did well.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) Although the box was small (c) it was very heavy
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 main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) We hope that it will not rain.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) will catch the bus (b) if you leave now (c) You will catch the bus
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Who (b) If (c) Although
35. 35.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
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) is red

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