Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

What is an independent clause?

1. A simple sentence with one subject and one verb

2. A sentence with multiple dependent clauses

3. A sentence that lacks a verb

4. A type of complex sentence

The correct answer is: A simple sentence with one subject and one verb

An independent clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. It includes at least one subject and one verb, making it a simple sentence. For example, "The dog barked" is an independent clause because it expresses a complete idea with a subject ("The dog") and a verb ("barked"). This characteristic allows independent clauses to function on their own, in contrast to dependent clauses, which cannot stand alone and typically start with subordinating conjunctions. Other options do not describe independent clauses accurately. While multiple dependent clauses may be part of a complex sentence, they do not represent an independent clause. A sentence that lacks a verb would not qualify as an independent clause because it would be incomplete. Similarly, complex sentences, which include both independent and dependent clauses, do not define independent clauses specifically. Thus, the answer emphasizes the simple structure of one subject and one verb, capturing the essence of what an independent clause is.