Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 79 · 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?
   “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The school band played the national anthem.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.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
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
5. 5.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) will be cancelled (b) If it rains tomorrow (c) the match will be cancelled
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
9. 9.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
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) The book is about birds (b) is about birds (c) which I borrowed
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) We stayed indoors because it was raining. (d) Arjun opened the window and looked outside.
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The little girl hugged her teddy bear.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The teacher said that we did well. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) Kabir thinks that the test is easy. (c) I called Meera, but she did not answer. (d) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge.
19. 19.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) since she was five (b) has lived in Pune (c) Riya has lived in Pune
20. 20.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
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The peacock spread its colourful feathers. (b) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (c) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (d) You should eat now, or your food will get cold.
22. 22.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
23. 23.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Which (b) When (c) Although
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The plant will grow ___ it gets sunlight.” (a) although (b) who (c) if
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (d) The lady who runs the library is very kind.
26. 26.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) when (b) which (c) although
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The tired players rested under a neem tree.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Joseph painted a boat on the wall. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) It was very cold, so we lit a fire. (d) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.
29. 29.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) that (b) although (c) who
30. 30.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
32. 32.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
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kabir thinks that the test is easy.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
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.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The dog was hungry, and the cat was hungry too. (d) It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “A strong wind shook the mango trees.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
40. 40.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The school band played the national anthem. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (d) Dev went to bed early because he was tired.

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