NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

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Prepare for the NYSTCE ESOL exam with our practice quizzes. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations to enhance your readiness. Master the test!

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What is characteristic of a complex sentence?

It has multiple independent clauses
It has only one independent clause and one dependent clause
It contains no clauses
It is composed only of dependent clauses

The correct answer is: It has only one independent clause and one dependent clause

A complex sentence is defined by its structure, specifically consisting of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, while the dependent clause cannot stand alone and provides additional information or detail that enhances the meaning of the independent clause. This structure allows for more nuanced expressions of relationships between ideas, making complex sentences valuable for conveying more detailed and sophisticated thoughts compared to simpler sentence structures. The independent clause establishes the main idea, while the dependent clause adds context, reasons, or conditions, enriching the overall meaning of the sentence. Understanding this characteristic is crucial for recognizing how complex sentences function in writing and speech, as they enable writers to combine thoughts more effectively and engage with the reader on a deeper level.