Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 608 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (b) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.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
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (d) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (d) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.
12. 12.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) who lives in Goa (c) have a friend
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.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
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
24. 24.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
25. 25.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The river flows past our village. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The house which has a blue door is ours. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The river flows past our village. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) who (b) although (c) since
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) is very kind (b) The lady is very kind (c) who runs the library
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) You should eat now, or your food will get cold. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (b) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) If you heat ice (c) it melts

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