Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 654 · 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.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
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) We have known Tara (b) have known Tara (c) since we were in Class 1
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) although (c) which
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The little girl hugged her teddy bear. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) The kite which Dad made for me is red. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
7. 7.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) The book is about birds (c) is about birds
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although the test was hard (b) Zoya got full marks (c) got full marks
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) The mango was sweet although it looked green.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) It was late; the shops were closed. (c) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (c) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plants died ___ nobody watered them.” (a) because (b) who (c) although
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way. (d) Manav kicked the ball over the fence.
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
21. 21.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
23. 23.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) the bus went another way (b) went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) Imran wore a cap, and his brother wore one too. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.
27. 27.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
28. 28.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) the match will be cancelled (c) will be cancelled
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
31. 31.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) Although the box was small, it was very heavy.
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) When the rain stopped, we went out to play. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must hold the rail, or you may slip.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dev went to bed early ___ he was tired.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (b) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) A cool breeze blew across the lake.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) he finished his homework (c) finished his homework
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (b) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.

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