Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 99 · 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:
   “I know ___ the earth is round.” (a) although (b) who (c) that
2. 2.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
3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
4. 4.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “The teacher said ___ we did well.” (a) although (b) that (c) who
5. 5.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
6. 6.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) it was very heavy (b) was very heavy (c) Although the box was small
7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Diya washed her hands and sat at the table.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
8. 8.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof. (b) When the water boiled, Mum added the rice. (c) Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books. (d) The box was small, but it was very heavy.
9. 9.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The boys swam in the river and played on the bank.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
10. 10.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The lady who runs the library is very kind.” (a) who runs the library (b) The lady is very kind (c) is very kind
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our teacher smiled at us and opened the book.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
13. 13.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The boy ___ won the race is my cousin.” (a) who (b) because (c) which
14. 14.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We stayed indoors because it was raining.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
15. 15.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (b) The boys swam in the river and played on the bank. (c) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend. (d) The shop was closed, so we went home.
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “I have a friend ___ lives in Goa.” (a) who (b) which (c) because
17. 17.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the road was blocked, the bus went another way.” (a) Although (b) Who (c) Because
18. 18.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Because (b) Which (c) Although
19. 19.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The house ___ has a blue door is ours.” (a) if (b) which (c) who
20. 20.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The bell rang; the children ran out.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
21. 21.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the light turned green, the cars moved.” (a) moved (b) When the light turned green (c) the cars moved
22. 22.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) is from Kochi (b) The girl is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The test was hard, but Zoya got full marks.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Arjun opened the window and looked outside.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Riya wore a sweater because it was cold.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We must leave now, or we will miss the train.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The lady ___ runs the library is very kind.” (a) which (b) who (c) because
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Dad switched on the fan ___ it got hot.” (a) which (b) although (c) when
29. 29.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Farhan had a fever, yet he came to the match.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
30. 30.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Meera cleaned her room and arranged her books.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
31. 31.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The soup looked plain, but it tasted great.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
32. 32.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) Diya washed her hands and sat at the table. (c) The house which has a blue door is ours. (d) The sky turned dark; thunder rumbled.
33. 33.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the box was small, it was very heavy.” (a) Although the box was small (b) was very heavy (c) it was very heavy
34. 34.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “Riya has lived in Pune since she was five.” (a) has lived in Pune (b) Riya has lived in Pune (c) since she was five
35. 35.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “The mango was sweet ___ it looked green.” (a) because (b) which (c) although
36. 36.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain.” (a) did not rain (b) Although the sky was cloudy (c) it did not rain
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I called Meera, but she did not answer.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ Kabir was tired, he finished his homework.” (a) Which (b) Although (c) Because
39. 39.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage. (b) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race. (c) Tenzin climbed the hill with his uncle. (d) We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you heat ice, it melts.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence

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