Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 61 · 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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lady who runs the library is very kind. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The children flew kites on the terrace. (d) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) thanked the man (c) We thanked the man
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) The plants died (c) died
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) The peacock spread its colourful feathers.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (b) When I opened the door, the cat ran in. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) The teacher said that we did well. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (b) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The box was small, but it was very heavy.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya loves maths; her brother loves art.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) who (b) although (c) if
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The mango was sweet although it looked green. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) who lives in Goa (b) have a friend (c) I have a friend
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
34. 34.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
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) When (b) Which (c) Although
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) although (b) who (c) because

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