Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 586 · 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?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) is from Kochi
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
12. 12.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
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (d) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) We thanked the man who found our dog.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (b) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) Mum added the rice (c) added the rice
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) is about birds (c) The book is about birds
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) It has rained every day (c) has rained every day
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
34. 34.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
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) Because the road was blocked (c) the bus went another way
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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