Independent Clause Challenge Quiz

1. What is an independent clause?

A group of words with only a verb

A group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone as a sentence

A group of words that always starts with because

A phrase with no subject

An independent clause has a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought on its own.

Explanation

An independent clause has a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought on its own.

2. Which of the following is an independent clause?

Because the movie was funny

When the bell rang

The movie was funny.

Although the movie was funny

‘The movie was funny.’ has a subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.

Explanation

‘The movie was funny.’ has a subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.

3. An independent clause expresses a complete thought.

True

False

A complete thought is what allows an independent clause to stand alone as a sentence.

Explanation

A complete thought is what allows an independent clause to stand alone as a sentence.

4. A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence is called an __________ clause.

An independent clause does not need any other clause to make sense.

Explanation

An independent clause does not need any other clause to make sense.

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5. How many independent clauses are in a simple sentence?

None

One

Two

More than two

A simple sentence contains exactly one independent clause.

Explanation

A simple sentence contains exactly one independent clause.

6. In the sentence 'When the rain stopped, the sun came out and the birds sang,' which parts are independent clauses?

When the rain stopped

The sun came out

And

The birds sang

When the rain

‘The sun came out’ and ‘the birds sang’ each have a subject and verb and can stand alone.

Explanation

‘The sun came out’ and ‘the birds sang’ each have a subject and verb and can stand alone.

Submit

7. A simple sentence is made up of one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

True

False

By definition, a simple sentence has one independent clause only.

Explanation

By definition, a simple sentence has one independent clause only.

8. Which group of words is a dependent clause, not an independent clause?

We walked to school.

The sun is shining.

Although we walked to school

They finished their work.

‘Although we walked to school’ begins with a subordinating conjunction and feels incomplete.

Explanation

‘Although we walked to school’ begins with a subordinating conjunction and feels incomplete.

9. Which sentences are compound sentences made of two independent clauses?

I studied for the test, and I went to bed.

Because I studied for the test, I went to bed.

She likes tea, but he prefers coffee.

She likes tea and hot chocolate.

They were tired after the game.

A and C each have two complete ideas joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Explanation

A and C each have two complete ideas joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Submit

10. When joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, place a ______ before the conjunction.

We usually put a comma before FANBOYS when they join two independent clauses.

Explanation

We usually put a comma before FANBOYS when they join two independent clauses.

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11. Which revision correctly fixes the comma splice 'I was hungry, I made a sandwich.'?

I was hungry I made a sandwich.

I was hungry, and I made a sandwich.

I was hungry; and I made a sandwich.

I was hungry, because I made a sandwich.

Adding a comma and and between the clauses creates a correct compound sentence.

Explanation

Adding a comma and and between the clauses creates a correct compound sentence.

12. A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma.

True

False

Two complete sentences joined by just a comma create a comma splice error.

Explanation

Two complete sentences joined by just a comma create a comma splice error.

13. Which of these are run on sentences?

He finished his project, and he turned it in on time.

He finished his project he turned it in on time.

He finished his project, he turned it in on time.

He finished his project; he turned it in on time.

He finished his project and turned it in on time.

B has no joining punctuation, and C has only a comma between two independent clauses.

Explanation

B has no joining punctuation, and C has only a comma between two independent clauses.

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14. What happens when you add a subordinating conjunction like 'because' to the beginning of an independent clause?

It becomes a phrase with no verb.

It becomes a dependent clause.

It becomes a compound sentence.

It becomes two independent clauses.

Adding a subordinating conjunction makes the clause depend on another clause to be complete.

Explanation

Adding a subordinating conjunction makes the clause depend on another clause to be complete.

15. An independent clause expresses a __________ thought.

Independent clauses make sense by themselves because the thought is complete.

Explanation

Independent clauses make sense by themselves because the thought is complete.

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16. In a compound sentence, each independent clause could be written as its own sentence.

True

False

Each part of a compound sentence is an independent clause that can stand alone.

Explanation

Each part of a compound sentence is an independent clause that can stand alone.

17. In the sentence 'Although it was late, we kept talking,' which part is the independent clause?

Although it was late

It was late

We kept talking

Although we kept talking

‘We kept talking’ has a subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.

Explanation

‘We kept talking’ has a subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.

18. Which statements are true about independent clauses?

They have both a subject and a verb.

They can stand alone as sentences.

They always start with because or although.

They express a complete thought.

They can be joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Independent clauses are complete thoughts with a subject and verb, and they can join with other clauses using comma plus FANBOYS.

Explanation

Independent clauses are complete thoughts with a subject and verb, and they can join with other clauses using comma plus FANBOYS.

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19. A punctuation mark that can join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction is a __________.

A semicolon (;) can be used between two related independent clauses.

Explanation

A semicolon (;) can be used between two related independent clauses.

Submit

20. Which sentence uses independent clauses and punctuation correctly?

She loves science she wants to be a scientist.

She loves science, she wants to be a scientist.

She loves science; she wants to be a scientist.

Because she loves science, she wants to be a scientist.

Sentence C correctly joins two independent clauses with a semicolon.

Explanation

Sentence C correctly joins two independent clauses with a semicolon.

All-in-One Practice: Independent Clause Challenge Quiz