Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 98 · 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.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) because (c) who
2. 2.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) We hope that it will not rain. (b) Kabir ran fast, but he missed the train. (c) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (d) Our class visited the science museum.
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) A little sparrow built a nest on our window ledge. (b) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (c) Although Kabir was tired, he finished his homework. (d) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The road was wet, so Dad drove slowly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Kavya can swim, and her brother can swim too.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
8. 8.What is the main clause in this sentence?
   “Dev went to bed early because he was tired.” (a) went to bed early (b) Dev went to bed early (c) because he was tired
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The peacock spread its colourful feathers.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
10. 10.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Because the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) went another way (b) the bus went another way (c) Because the road was blocked
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Rohan finished his homework and went to bed.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) who (b) since (c) although
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The crow dropped the stone and flew away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The mango was green, yet it was very sweet.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The monkeys stole bananas from the cart. (b) Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book. (c) Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match. (d) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
16. 16.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) which I borrowed (b) is about birds (c) The book is about birds
17. 17.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The match ended; everyone went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Because (c) Although
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The river flows past our village.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) that (b) who (c) although
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “We thanked the man who found our dog.” (a) who found our dog (b) We thanked the man (c) thanked the man
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
24. 24.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
25. 25.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Riya wore a sweater ___ it was cold.” (a) although (b) who (c) because
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (c) The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away. (d) Simran won the first prize in the quiz.
28. 28.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The baby laughed at the clown and clapped her hands. (b) The bright stars twinkled in the night sky. (c) The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi. (d) You must hold the rail, or you may slip.
29. 29.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “It has rained every day since we came to Shimla.” (a) since we came to Shimla (b) has rained every day (c) It has rained every day
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
31. 31.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) wore a sweater (b) because it was cold (c) Riya wore a sweater
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds. (c) The river flows past our village. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The baby was asleep, so we spoke softly.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
34. 34.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our cat is lazy; it sleeps all day.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The hill was steep, yet Grandpa reached the top.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The crow dropped the stone and flew away. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) The bell rang; the children ran out. (d) The plants died because nobody watered them.
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The book which I borrowed is about birds.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
38. 38.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “You will catch the bus if you leave now.” (a) You will catch the bus (b) will catch the bus (c) if you leave now
39. 39.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The mango was sweet although it looked green.” (a) The mango was sweet (b) although it looked green (c) was sweet
40. 40.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) has lived here (b) since she was a girl (c) Grandma has lived here

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