Identify simple, compound, and complex sentences in this educational worksheet.
Worksheet titled "Types of Sentences: Simple - Compound - Complex" with Task 1 asking to identify sentence types, featuring 12 sentences with multiple-choice options.
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Step-by-step solution for: Types of sentences - SImple - Compound and Complex worksheet ...
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Types of sentences - SImple - Compound and Complex worksheet ...
Let’s go through each sentence one by one and figure out if it’s simple, compound, or complex.
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- Simple sentence: One main idea. One subject + verb group. No extra clauses.
- Example: *She runs fast.*
- Compound sentence: Two simple sentences joined together with a word like *and, but, or*.
- Example: *She runs fast, and he walks slowly.*
- Complex sentence: Has one main part + one extra part that can’t stand alone (starts with words like *who, because, when, how*).
- Example: *She runs fast because she practices every day.*
---
Now let’s solve each question:
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1. We met rather few people who spoke English.
→ “who spoke English” is an extra clause describing “people”. It starts with “who”, so this is complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
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2. I have been on rather too many planes and trains recently.
→ Only one main idea. “Planes and trains” are just objects — not separate sentences. So this is simple.
✔ Answer: C. Simple
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3. We drove right up to Helsinki in two days.
→ One action, one subject. No joining words or extra clauses. Simple.
✔ Answer: C. Simple
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4. I don’t care how expensive it is.
→ “how expensive it is” is a dependent clause (can’t stand alone). Starts with “how”. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
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5. Two minutes ago the child was fast asleep, but now he is wide awake.
→ Two complete ideas joined by “but”. That makes it compound.
✔ Answer: B. Compound
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6. He is not tall enough to be a soldier.
→ One main idea. “to be a soldier” is just a phrase, not a full clause. Still simple.
✔ Answer: C. Simple
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7. I guess she just doesn’t respect you.
→ “I guess” is the main part. “she just doesn’t respect you” is what you’re guessing — it’s a dependent clause. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
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8. I have got four sisters and each of them is quite different from the others.
→ Two complete thoughts joined by “and”. First: “I have got four sisters.” Second: “each of them is quite different...” → Compound
✔ Answer: B. Compound
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9. You can either come with me now or walk home.
→ This looks tricky! But “either...or” connects two choices within ONE sentence. Not two full sentences. So still simple.
Wait — actually, let’s think again. Is “come with me now” and “walk home” two independent clauses? No — they’re both verbs after “you can”. So it’s one subject + two options. Still simple.
✔ Answer: C. Simple
*(Note: Some might argue compound, but grammatically, since there’s only one subject “you” and one modal “can”, it’s simple.)*
---
10. He will never leave home because he hasn’t got the courage to.
→ “because he hasn’t got the courage to” is a reason clause — depends on the first part. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
---
11. When all else fails, read the user manual.
→ “When all else fails” is a time clause — can’t stand alone. Main command: “read the user manual”. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
---
12. It was Sam who paid for the drinks.
→ “who paid for the drinks” describes “Sam” — it’s a relative clause. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
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## Final Answers:
1. A
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. C
10. A
11. A
12. A
---
What do these mean? (Quick reminder)
- Simple sentence: One main idea. One subject + verb group. No extra clauses.
- Example: *She runs fast.*
- Compound sentence: Two simple sentences joined together with a word like *and, but, or*.
- Example: *She runs fast, and he walks slowly.*
- Complex sentence: Has one main part + one extra part that can’t stand alone (starts with words like *who, because, when, how*).
- Example: *She runs fast because she practices every day.*
---
Now let’s solve each question:
---
1. We met rather few people who spoke English.
→ “who spoke English” is an extra clause describing “people”. It starts with “who”, so this is complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
---
2. I have been on rather too many planes and trains recently.
→ Only one main idea. “Planes and trains” are just objects — not separate sentences. So this is simple.
✔ Answer: C. Simple
---
3. We drove right up to Helsinki in two days.
→ One action, one subject. No joining words or extra clauses. Simple.
✔ Answer: C. Simple
---
4. I don’t care how expensive it is.
→ “how expensive it is” is a dependent clause (can’t stand alone). Starts with “how”. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
---
5. Two minutes ago the child was fast asleep, but now he is wide awake.
→ Two complete ideas joined by “but”. That makes it compound.
✔ Answer: B. Compound
---
6. He is not tall enough to be a soldier.
→ One main idea. “to be a soldier” is just a phrase, not a full clause. Still simple.
✔ Answer: C. Simple
---
7. I guess she just doesn’t respect you.
→ “I guess” is the main part. “she just doesn’t respect you” is what you’re guessing — it’s a dependent clause. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
---
8. I have got four sisters and each of them is quite different from the others.
→ Two complete thoughts joined by “and”. First: “I have got four sisters.” Second: “each of them is quite different...” → Compound
✔ Answer: B. Compound
---
9. You can either come with me now or walk home.
→ This looks tricky! But “either...or” connects two choices within ONE sentence. Not two full sentences. So still simple.
Wait — actually, let’s think again. Is “come with me now” and “walk home” two independent clauses? No — they’re both verbs after “you can”. So it’s one subject + two options. Still simple.
✔ Answer: C. Simple
*(Note: Some might argue compound, but grammatically, since there’s only one subject “you” and one modal “can”, it’s simple.)*
---
10. He will never leave home because he hasn’t got the courage to.
→ “because he hasn’t got the courage to” is a reason clause — depends on the first part. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
---
11. When all else fails, read the user manual.
→ “When all else fails” is a time clause — can’t stand alone. Main command: “read the user manual”. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
---
12. It was Sam who paid for the drinks.
→ “who paid for the drinks” describes “Sam” — it’s a relative clause. So complex.
✔ Answer: A. Complex
---
## Final Answers:
1. A
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. C
10. A
11. A
12. A
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of types of sentences worksheet simple compound complex.
