Question

Each group of words is a clause from the passage with capitalization and punctuation removed. Decide which type of clause each group of words is. Drag each clause to the correct box.

Answer 1

(Independent: the students where exited, and they used flashlights)

(Dependent: Because they were going spelunking, and when they entered the cave)

Answer 2

What is are independent and dependent clauses?

• Independent clause: a sentence/phrase that has a subject and verb that can stand as its own sentence and can express a complete thought
• Dependent clause: a group of words that can't stand as its own sentence or express a complete thought

*Reading these clauses aloud will help you hear whether or not the sentence sounds complete*

Let's look at each sentence separately to determine which clause they are:

1. the students were excited: this is an independent clause. It has a subject [the students] and a verb [were] and when read aloud, it sounds like a complete sentence
2. because they were going spelunking: this is a dependent clause. Although it has a subject [they] and a verb [were going] it sounds incomplete and is missing a phrase before 'because' to complete the sentence.
3. when they entered the cave: this is a dependent clause. It has a subject [they] and a verb [entered]. but there is no phrase following this clause to complete the sentence
4. they used flashlights: this is an independent clause: It sounds and is written as a complete sentence.