Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 648 · 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.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) went another way (c) the bus went another way
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The bus ___ goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We have known Tara ___ we were in Class 1.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The teacher said that we did well.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
14. 14.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) I know that the earth is round. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (b) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) You will catch the bus if you leave now.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Joseph painted a boat on the wall.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “You will catch the bus ___ you leave now.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
20. 20.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) The house is ours (b) which has a blue door (c) is ours
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) The book which I borrowed is about birds.
24. 24.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) The bus leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) leaves at ten
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
29. 29.What is the subordinate 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
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We thanked the man who found our dog. (b) The school band played the national anthem. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
32. 32.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) Mum added the rice (c) When the water boiled
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) The plant will grow (b) if it gets sunlight (c) will grow
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) died (b) because nobody watered them (c) The plants died
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence

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