Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 559 · 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) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) I have a friend who lives in Goa.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.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
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) the cat ran in (c) ran in
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Zoya got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) got full marks
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
31. 31.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
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence

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