Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 555 · 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) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
17. 17.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) is very kind (c) who runs the library
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The little girl hugged her teddy bear.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) I have a friend
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) The mango was sweet (c) although it looked green
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (d) When the light turned green, the cars moved.
33. 33.What is the subordinate 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
34. 34.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) We ate the cake which Grandma baked.
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) who (c) although

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