Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 649 · 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 subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) he finished his homework (b) finished his homework (c) Although Kabir was tired
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) who (c) which
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
16. 16.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) wore a sweater
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (d) The kite which Dad made for me is red.
18. 18.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) switched on the fan (b) Dad switched on the fan (c) when it got hot
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (d) The lady who runs the library is very kind.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) added the rice (b) When the water boiled (c) Mum added the rice
23. 23.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
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (d) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
28. 28.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
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning.
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was late; the shops were closed.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) because (c) although
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “It was very cold, so we lit a fire.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We thanked the man ___ found our dog.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I know that the earth is round.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) is very kind (c) The lady is very kind
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) since she was five (c) Riya has lived in Pune
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) was very heavy (b) it was very heavy (c) Although the box was small

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