Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 602 · 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 puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) although (c) which
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) A cool breeze blew across the lake. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) the match will be cancelled (b) will be cancelled (c) If it rains tomorrow
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) because (c) which
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) has lived here (c) Grandma has lived here
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) the cars moved (c) moved
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) has rained every day (b) It has rained every day (c) since we came to Shimla
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) When
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) did not rain (c) Although the sky was cloudy
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ you heat ice, it melts.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
39. 39.What is the main 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
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because

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