Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 614 · 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 thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Who
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
6. 6.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) since we were in Class 1 (b) We have known Tara (c) have known Tara
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (b) Our class visited the science museum. (c) The shop was closed, so we went home. (d) Kabir thinks that the test is easy.
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
10. 10.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train.
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) if (b) who (c) although
12. 12.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) Although Kabir was tired (c) finished his homework
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Because the road was blocked (b) the bus went another way (c) went another way
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) Our school has a big library. (d) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) Dev went to bed early
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) We ate the cake (b) which Grandma baked (c) ate the cake
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) since she was a girl (b) Grandma has lived here (c) has lived here
31. 31.What is the subordinate 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
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) although (b) which (c) because
33. 33.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (d) I know that the earth is round.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (b) Riya has lived in Pune since she was five. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (b) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The children flew kites on the terrace. (b) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The boy who won the race is my cousin. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (d) I was thirsty, so I drank some water.

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