Final answer:
The independent clause among the options provided that can stand alone as a complete sentence is (c) The dog barked loudly.
Step-by-step explanation:
When determining independent clauses, it is important to identify if the clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. An independent clause contains both a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Review of Options: (a) Despite the rain - This is not an independent clause as it does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own.
(b) When the sun sets - This is a dependent clause because it starts with a subordinating conjunction and does not form a complete sentence on its own. (c) The dog barked loudly - This is an independent clause because it has a subject ('The dog') and a verb ('barked') and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
(d) In the morning mist - Similar to option (a), this cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, making it a dependent clause. The correct answer to the question is (c) The dog barked loudly.