Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 68 · 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 peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
4. 4.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) leaves at ten (b) which goes to Agra (c) The bus leaves at ten
5. 5.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandpa reads the newspaper every morning. (b) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.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
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I was thirsty, so I drank some water.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (b) The children flew kites on the terrace. (c) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (d) I know that the earth is round.
12. 12.What is the main 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
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although (b) Because (c) Which
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Although Kabir was tired (b) finished his homework (c) he finished his homework
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) Riya planted a rose, and Kabir planted one too. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) who won the race (b) The boy is my cousin (c) is my cousin
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) moved (c) When the light turned green
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
25. 25.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) the cat ran in (c) ran in
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.What is the main 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
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (d) The school band played the national anthem.
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) because it was cold (b) Riya wore a sweater (c) wore a sweater
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.
33. 33.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
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) who (b) which (c) if
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Simran won the first prize in the quiz.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (d) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.

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