Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 75 · 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 girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) Riya loves maths; her brother loves art. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
2. 2.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Because (b) Although (c) Which
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) since (b) who (c) although
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) who (b) although (c) because
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) which Grandma baked (b) We ate the cake (c) ate the cake
9. 9.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) melts (b) it melts (c) If you heat ice
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We ate the cake which Grandma baked.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) I know that the earth is round.
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Our class visited the science museum. (d) When I opened the door, the cat ran in.
15. 15.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) if (b) although (c) who
16. 16.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
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
18. 18.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) If it rains tomorrow (b) will be cancelled (c) the match will be cancelled
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (b) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (c) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (c) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (d) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) is ours (c) The house is ours
23. 23.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) We thanked the man who found our dog. (c) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (d) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (b) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (c) Dev went to bed early because he was tired. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (b) You must hold the rail, or you may slip. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) The bus leaves at ten (c) leaves at ten
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot. (b) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (c) Dad was busy; Mum cooked dinner. (d) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) because (b) who (c) which

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