Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 591 · 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?
   “The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.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
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.
12. 12.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
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) was sweet (c) although it looked green
21. 21.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
22. 22.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
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) leaves at ten (c) which goes to Agra
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) because he was tired (b) went to bed early (c) Dev went to bed early
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) which I borrowed (c) is about birds
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) is ours (b) The house is ours (c) which has a blue door
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (d) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) The mango was sweet
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (b) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) although (b) which (c) when
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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