Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 78 · 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?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.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
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) Our school has a big library.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The kite ___ Dad made for me is red.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) it did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) did not rain
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) I know that the earth is round. (c) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (d) Our school has a big library.
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (d) The crow dropped the stone and flew away.
10. 10.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
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) We stayed indoors (c) because it was raining
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (c) Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day. (d) Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
17. 17.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
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya has lived in Pune ___ she was five.” (a) although (b) since (c) who
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Grandma has lived here ___ she was a girl.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
20. 20.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
22. 22.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We ate the cake ___ Grandma baked.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (d) Dad switched on the fan when it got hot.
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
30. 30.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (b) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (c) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (d) The match ended; everyone went home.
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) we went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) went out to play
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.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
35. 35.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) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
36. 36.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
37. 37.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) which (b) who (c) if
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Mum said ___ dinner was ready.” (a) who (b) although (c) that

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