Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 583 · 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?
   “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) although (c) who
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A cool breeze blew across the lake.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.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
7. 7.What is the main 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
8. 8.What is the subordinate 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
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Manav kicked the ball over the fence.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
17. 17.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
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (b) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) who (b) if (c) which
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) It was late; the shops were closed. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) when (c) which
37. 37.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
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) Grandma has lived here (c) since she was a girl
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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