Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 553 · 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?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) We stayed indoors (b) stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
14. 14.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) wore a sweater (c) Riya wore a sweater
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When the rain stopped (b) went out to play (c) we went out to play
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet

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