Independent vs. Dependent Clauses

Is the underlined portion of the following sentence a dependent or independent clause?

Since bicycle accidents can result in significant head injuries, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages all riders to wear secure, properly fitted bicycle helmets.

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Is the underlined portion a dependent or independent clause?

Frozen foods may lose water molecules and become dehydrated unless they are wrapped tightly.

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Is the underlined portion a dependent or independent clause?

Since Japan has little arable land, it cannot grow enough crops for its population and must import much of its food.

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Is the underlined portion a dependent or independent clause?

Before the nylon-bristled toothbrush was invented in 1938, toothbrushes were commonly made from the coarse hairs on the back of a hog's neck.

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Is the underlined portion a dependent or independent clause?

As America's cotton production dramatically increased in the early 1800's, the demand for slave labor also intensified.

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Using context clues, infer the meaning of exempla y as it is used in the sentence below.

In the corner behind me the breeze also rustled the papers hanging from the Students’ Garden, a beautifully decorated piece of cardboard that displayed exemplary work. One of them was my latest perfect math test.

• hopeless

• hopeful

• the best

• the worst

How did Ji-li react when the principal told her that she’d been selected to audition?

“She is recruiting students for the dance training class. She selected you four to audition. It’s a great honor for Xin Er Primary School. I’m very proud of all of you, and I know you’ll do your best.”

I did not hear the rest of her words. I saw myself in a new Liberation Army uniform, slim and standing straight as a reed, long braids swinging at my waist. A Liberation Army soldier! One of the heroes admired by all, who helped Chai man Mao liberate China from oppression and defeated the Americans in Korea. And a performer, just like my mother used to be, touring the country, the world, to tell everyone about the New China that Chairman Mao had built and how it was becoming stronger and stronger.

• Ji-li became afraid that she wouldn’t pass the audition because she didn’t hear the rest of the principal’s words.

• Ji-li started imagining herself as a Liberation Army soldier.

• Ji-li started to think about how excited her mother would be for her because she had disappointed her mother in the past.

Select the word or phrase that best show how nervous Ji-li feels when she gives Principal Long the letter.

The hallway outside the principal’s office was very quiet. It was noon, and nearly everyone was home for lunch. The big red characters PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE made me nervous. I put my hand on the knob, hesitated, and lowered it. I walked back to the stairs, trembling and covered with sweat.

• quiet

• big red characters

• put my hand on the knob

• hesitated and lowered it