Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 9 · 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) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boy who won the race is my cousin.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) You must wear a helmet, or you may get hurt. (b) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly. (c) The heavy rain flooded the narrow lane. (d) If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled.
4. 4.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
5. 5.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) stayed indoors (b) because it was raining (c) We stayed indoors
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) the cars moved (c) When the light turned green
7. 7.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
8. 8.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
9. 9.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) When I opened the door (b) ran in (c) the cat ran in
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) If you heat ice (b) melts (c) it melts
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Mum said that dinner was ready.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The box was small, but it was very heavy. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) We thanked the man who found our dog. (d) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
16. 16.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
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Nisha was nervous, yet she sang beautifully. (b) Rohan finished his homework and went to bed. (c) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (d) The old fisherman mended his net on the beach.
19. 19.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Simran won the first prize in the quiz. (b) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
21. 21.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the box was small, it was very heavy. (b) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (c) The match ended; everyone went home. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten. (b) A strong wind shook the mango trees. (c) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (d) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bright stars twinkled in the night sky.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.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
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our team practised hard, so we won the cup.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (b) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (c) We ate the cake which Grandma baked. (d) My cousin plays the tabla at weddings.
28. 28.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The bus which goes to Agra leaves at ten.” (a) which goes to Agra (b) leaves at ten (c) The bus leaves at ten
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) I have a friend who lives in Goa. (d) The children flew kites on the terrace.
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baker sold fresh bread to Imran.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) because (c) who
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (b) We must leave now, or we will miss the train. (c) When the light turned green, the cars moved. (d) Joseph painted a boat on the wall.
33. 33.What is the subordinate 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
34. 34.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
35. 35.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tired players rested under a neem tree. (b) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (c) I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too. (d) If you heat ice, it melts.
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
37. 37.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) If you mix red and yellow, you get orange. (b) The shop was closed, so we went home. (c) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (d) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad.
38. 38.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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