Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 573 · 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) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) if you leave now (b) You will catch the bus (c) will catch the bus
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) since we came to Shimla (c) It has rained every day
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.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
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) thanked the man (c) We thanked the man
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) when it got hot (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) switched on the fan
30. 30.What is the main 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:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
33. 33.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) if (c) who
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) The kite is red
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) got full marks (b) Although the test was hard (c) Zoya got full marks
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which

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