=break your pencil lead while writing, and = feel overly stressed.
=put together a swing set correctly, and =read the directions.
These are independent events because the occurrence of one event does not affect the occurrence of the other event. Breaking a pencil lead while writing and feeling overly stressed may happen at the same time, but one event does not cause the other. Similarly, putting together a swing set correctly and reading the directions are independent events because one action (reading the directions) does not determine the outcome of the other action (assembling the swing set correctly).
=make an error on your income tax return, and =file Form 1040 long.
These are dependent events because the occurrence of one event (making an error on the tax return) affects the occurrence of the other event (filing Form 1040 long). If you make an error on your tax return, you may need to file a longer form to correct it.
=have a salad with dinner, and =work on a home project.
These are also dependent events because one event (having a salad with dinner) does not determine the outcome of the other event (working on a home project). These events may happen at the same time, but one does not cause the other.