Exercise 1: Independent Clauses | Practice Test Online

Question 1:  What is an independent clause?

(A) A group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

(B) A group of words that modifies a noun or pronoun.

(C) A group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

(D) A group of words that connects two independent clauses.

Correct Answer: 1A

Question 2:  Which of the following sentences contains an independent clause?

(A) After the rain stopped.

(B) She went to the store.

(C) Because it was late.

(D) Eating ice cream.

Correct Answer: 2B

Question 3:  What is the function of an independent clause in a sentence?

(A) It provides additional information.

(B) It shows the relationship between two ideas.

(C) It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

(D) It connects dependent clauses.

Correct Answer: 3C

Question 4:  Which of the following is not necessary for an independent clause?

(A) A subject

(B) A verb

(C) A conjunction

(D) A complete thought

Correct Answer: 4C

Question 5:  Identify the independent clause in the following sentence: 'The cat sat on the mat.'

(A) The cat sat

(B) on the mat

(C) The cat sat on the mat

(D) sat on the mat

Correct Answer: 5A

Question 6:  Which punctuation mark separates two independent clauses joined by a conjunction?

(A) Period

(B) Comma

(C) Exclamation mark

(D) Semicolon

Correct Answer: 6B

Question 7:  What should you avoid doing when combining two independent clauses?

(A) Using a coordinating conjunction

(B) Using a subordinating conjunction

(C) Using a comma splice

(D) Using a semicolon

Correct Answer: 7C

Question 8:  Which of the following sentences correctly joins two independent clauses?

(A) She cooked dinner she cleaned the kitchen.

(B) She cooked dinner and she cleaned the kitchen.

(C) She cooked dinner; she cleaned the kitchen.

(D) She cooked dinner then she cleaned the kitchen.

Correct Answer: 8B

Question 9:  What is the function of a coordinating conjunction in joining independent clauses?

(A) It shows contrast between ideas.

(B) It indicates a cause-and-effect relationship.

(C) It joins two independent clauses of equal importance.

(D) It introduces a dependent clause.

Correct Answer: 9C

Question 10:  Which of the following is an example of an independent clause?

(A) Although it was raining.

(B) Before she left for work.

(C) He finished his homework.

(D) Because they were late.

Correct Answer: 10C