Text Practice: Clauses in Context
📖 Learn
Now that you understand independent and dependent clauses, and how to use commas and semicolons, it's time to practice finding and analyzing these patterns in real text passages. This skill is essential for the SAT and ACT!
🔍 Reading Like a Writer
When you read passages carefully, you'll notice that skilled authors use clauses and punctuation to:
- Create rhythm: Mixing short and long sentences keeps readers engaged
- Show relationships: Dependent clauses explain why, when, or how things happen
- Add detail: Extra information gets tucked into sentences smoothly
- Build suspense: The order of clauses can create anticipation
Analyze This Passage
When the first drops of rain began to fall, Maya quickly gathered her books from the picnic table. The sky had grown dark; thick clouds blocked out the afternoon sun. Although she tried to run, her heavy backpack slowed her down. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and Maya picked up her pace.
Breaking Down the Passage
Starts with "when" - tells us WHEN the action happened. Needs the next part to complete the thought.
Complete thought with subject (Maya) and verb (gathered). Could stand alone as a sentence.
Two complete thoughts closely related in meaning, connected by a semicolon instead of "and."
Strategy: Pause at Punctuation
When analyzing passages, pause at each comma and semicolon. Ask yourself:
- What comes before? Is it a complete thought or dependent on something else?
- What comes after? Does it complete the idea or add new information?
- Why did the author choose this punctuation?
💡 Examples
Let's examine more passages and see how professional writers use clauses.
The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth's surface, yet we have explored less than 5% of it. Scientists use special submarines, called submersibles, to dive into the deepest parts of the ocean. Because the pressure is so intense at great depths, these vehicles must be incredibly strong. Although technology has improved, exploring the deep ocean remains dangerous and expensive.
Sentence-by-Sentence Analysis
Structure: Two independent clauses joined by comma + "yet" (a coordinating conjunction)
Effect: The contrast creates surprise - so much ocean, so little explored!
Structure: Dependent clause (Because...) + comma + independent clause
Effect: Explains the reason BEFORE giving the result - builds understanding
Structure: Dependent clause (Although...) + comma + independent clause
Effect: Concession pattern - acknowledges one thing but emphasizes the main point
Marcus stared at the two paths before him; one led through the dark forest, and the other wound up the sunny hillside. If he took the forest path, he would arrive faster. However, the hillside path was safer. After considering his options carefully, Marcus made his choice. He stepped forward, his heart pounding, and began the climb up the hill.
Notice the Variety
Conditional dependent clause + independent clause. Shows cause and effect.
Introductory word + comma + independent clause. Creates contrast with the previous sentence.
Independent clause with inserted participial phrase (his heart pounding) set off by commas.
✏️ Practice
Interactive: Find the Dependent Clause
Click on the words that make up the dependent clause in each sentence.
Clause Hunter
Instructions: Click on each word that is part of the dependent clause. Then click "Check Answer."
Passage Analysis Questions
Read the passage and answer the questions below.
Sarah had worked on her volcano project for three weeks. When the judges approached her table, her hands began to shake. Although she had practiced her presentation many times, she felt nervous. The head judge smiled warmly; this helped calm her nerves. Because she had prepared so thoroughly, the demonstration went perfectly. After the judges moved on, Sarah let out a huge sigh of relief.
Question 1
In the sentence "When the judges approached her table, her hands began to shake," what type of clause is "When the judges approached her table"?
Question 2
Why does the author use a semicolon in "The head judge smiled warmly; this helped calm her nerves"?
Question 3
In the sentence "Because she had prepared so thoroughly, the demonstration went perfectly," which part is the independent clause?
Question 4
How many sentences in the passage contain dependent clauses?
Question 5
Which signal word in the passage indicates a contrast or concession?
Check Your Understanding
The old library stood at the corner of Main Street; it had been there for over a hundred years. When you walked through the heavy wooden doors, you could smell the dusty pages of thousands of books. Although the building looked ancient on the outside, the inside had been modernized with computers and comfortable seating. If you needed a quiet place to study, this was the perfect spot. The librarian, Mrs. Chen, knew every book by heart, and she could always find exactly what you needed.
Question 6
The first sentence uses a semicolon. What would be another correct way to punctuate these two clauses?
Question 7
In the passage, which word signals a conditional (if-then) relationship?
Question 8
The last sentence contains which type of extra information set off by commas?
Summary & Next Steps
Read Actively
Pause at punctuation and analyze clause structure
Notice Patterns
Authors use clause variety for rhythm and meaning
Signal Words
When, because, although, if mark dependent clauses
Practice
Analyze passages in your own reading
SAT/ACT Connection
On the SAT and ACT, you'll encounter passages where you need to:
- Identify the best punctuation to join clauses
- Recognize and fix comma splices and run-on sentences
- Choose the most effective sentence structure
- Understand how clause placement affects meaning
The more you practice analyzing real texts, the better you'll do on these tests!
Continue Learning
- Move on to Writing Application to practice using clauses in your own writing
- Review Commas and Semicolons if you need a refresher on punctuation rules
- Try analyzing a paragraph from a book you're reading - find all the dependent clauses!