1.
The pony express did not last long.
Correct Answer
A. Independent Clause
Explanation
The given correct answer is "Independent Clause" because the sentence "The pony express did not last long" is a complete sentence that can stand alone and express a complete thought. It does not rely on any other clause or sentence to make sense.
2.
Mail was carried by ships.
Correct Answer
A. Independent Clause
Explanation
The statement "Mail was carried by ships" is a complete sentence that can stand alone and express a complete thought. It does not rely on any other clause or sentence for its meaning. Therefore, it is an independent clause.
3.
Because today's mail travels so slowly.
Correct Answer
B. Dependent Clause
Explanation
The given correct answer is "Dependent Clause" because the phrase "Because today's mail travels so slowly" does not express a complete thought on its own. It depends on the rest of the sentence to make sense and provide a complete idea. A dependent clause typically starts with a subordinating conjunction like "because" and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
4.
The pony express riders would often ride throughout the night.
Correct Answer
A. Independent Clause
Explanation
The given statement, "The pony express riders would often ride throughout the night," is an independent clause. It can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought. It states a fact about the pony express riders and their habit of riding during the night.
5.
While they were called pony boys.
Correct Answer
B. Dependent Clause
Explanation
The given sentence "While they were called pony boys" is a dependent clause because it does not express a complete thought on its own. It relies on another independent clause to form a complete sentence. The word "while" indicates that this clause is dependent and needs additional information to make sense.
6.
When they carried the mail.
Correct Answer
B. Dependent Clause
Explanation
The phrase "When they carried the mail" does not express a complete thought on its own. It is dependent on another clause to make sense. It relies on additional information or context to complete the meaning, suggesting that it is a dependent clause.
7.
Because fuel is so expensive.
Correct Answer
B. Dependent Clause
Explanation
The given correct answer is "Dependent Clause" because the phrase "Because fuel is so expensive" does not express a complete thought on its own and relies on the rest of the sentence for clarity. It functions as a subordinate clause that provides a reason or explanation for something else in the sentence.
8.
The pony express just might be revived.
Correct Answer
A. Independent Clause
Explanation
The given statement "The pony express just might be revived" is a complete sentence that can stand alone and convey a complete thought. It does not rely on any other part of the sentence to make sense, making it an independent clause.
9.
Though nobody knew the trip's length.
Correct Answer
B. Dependent Clause
Explanation
The given answer is "Dependent Clause" because it starts with the subordinating conjunction "Though" and does not express a complete thought on its own. It relies on the rest of the sentence for meaning and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
10.
A rider traveled a great distance before he stopped for the night.
Correct Answer
A. Independent Clause
Explanation
The given sentence "A rider traveled a great distance before he stopped for the night" is an independent clause because it can stand alone as a complete sentence. It expresses a complete thought and contains a subject (rider) and a predicate (traveled a great distance before he stopped for the night). The dependent clause would require additional information or a main clause to make sense on its own, but in this case, the sentence is complete and does not rely on any other clause.
11.
Since our mail delivery is so slow.
Correct Answer
B. Dependent Clause
Explanation
The given correct answer is "Dependent Clause" because it does not express a complete thought on its own and relies on the rest of the sentence for clarity. The phrase "Since our mail delivery is so slow" introduces a condition or reason, but it does not provide a complete idea. It needs to be combined with an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
12.
Before the letter arrived by pony express.
Correct Answer
B. Dependent Clause
Explanation
The given answer is "Dependent Clause" because the phrase "Before the letter arrived by pony express" cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It is dependent on the rest of the sentence for its meaning and does not express a complete thought.
13.
During summer vacation, students could sign up to ride for the pony express.
Correct Answer
A. Independent Clause
Explanation
The given sentence "During summer vacation, students could sign up to ride for the pony express" is an independent clause because it can stand alone as a complete sentence and expresses a complete thought. It provides information about what students could do during summer vacation, indicating that they had the option to sign up for the pony express.
14.
It would be fun.
Correct Answer
A. Independent Clause
Explanation
The given answer is "Independent Clause" because an independent clause is a complete sentence that can stand alone and express a complete thought. In this case, the phrase "It would be fun" is a complete sentence with a subject ("It") and a verb ("would be"), and it expresses a complete thought. It does not rely on any other part of the sentence to make sense.
15.
While another letter will be delivered by the postal system.
Correct Answer
B. Dependent Clause
Explanation
The given answer, "Dependent Clause," is correct because the phrase "While another letter will be delivered by the postal system" cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It is dependent on another clause to make sense and convey a complete thought. In this case, it is dependent on an independent clause to form a complete sentence.