Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 600 · 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?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Who (b) Although (c) Because
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) The kite is red (b) is red (c) which Dad made for me
11. 11.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.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
15. 15.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
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.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
19. 19.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) The farmers harvested the wheat in April.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (d) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.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
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) the cars moved (c) moved
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was late; the shops were closed. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.

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