Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 592 · 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?
   “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
3. 3.What is the subordinate 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
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound 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) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) which (b) because (c) although
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) ran in (b) the cat ran in (c) When I opened the door
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) Riya has lived in Pune (b) has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) If (b) Who (c) Although
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (b) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
21. 21.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
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) went out to play (c) When the rain stopped
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
26. 26.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The bell rang; the children ran out. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) The boy is my cousin (b) is my cousin (c) who won the race
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
35. 35.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
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) finished his homework (b) he finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.

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