Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 8 · 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?
   “My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
3. 3.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The girl ___ sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) because (b) which (c) who
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) Although (b) If (c) Who
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) Riya wore a sweater (b) wore a sweater (c) because it was cold
9. 9.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
10. 10.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
11. 11.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too. (c) The doctor gave Omkar some medicine. (d) Mum said that dinner was ready.
12. 12.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (d) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart.
13. 13.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) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
15. 15.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) The lady is very kind (b) is very kind (c) who runs the library
16. 16.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (c) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (d) The house which has a blue door is ours.
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) When the light turned green (b) moved (c) the cars moved
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The doctor gave Omkar some medicine.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) thanked the man (b) who found our dog (c) We thanked the man
23. 23.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “I have a friend who lives in Goa.” (a) I have a friend (b) have a friend (c) who lives in Goa
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) Our school has a big library.
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
27. 27.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
28. 28.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (c) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (d) The bell rang; the children ran out.
30. 30.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) the cars moved (b) When the light turned green (c) moved
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
32. 32.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Ananya passed the test, and her friends passed it too.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) went out to play (b) When the rain stopped (c) we went out to play
34. 34.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
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (b) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (c) We hope that it will not rain. (d) The camel carried heavy bags across the sand.
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our class visited the science museum. (b) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (c) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) If
39. 39.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
40. 40.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) since (b) although (c) who

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