Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 73 · 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 boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
2. 2.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) When the water boiled (b) added the rice (c) Mum added the rice
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) You will catch the bus if you leave now. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) It was late; the shops were closed.
7. 7.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The shop was closed, so we went home. (b) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The tired players rested under a neem tree.
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) the cat ran in (b) ran in (c) When I opened the door
9. 9.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
10. 10.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
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The match ended; everyone went home. (c) Mum said that dinner was ready. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) is about birds (b) The book is about birds (c) which I borrowed
16. 16.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) The plants died (b) because nobody watered them (c) died
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) When
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) If you heat ice, it melts. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
20. 20.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
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
22. 22.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
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
24. 24.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) although it looked green (b) was sweet (c) The mango was sweet
25. 25.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
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The farmers harvested the wheat in April. (d) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The book ___ I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
32. 32.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) Dev went to bed early (b) because he was tired (c) went to bed early

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