Question

choose the independent clause(s) being modified by a dependent clause in this compound-complex sentence.
\because the fire went out, the room turned cold and the people kept their coats on.\

the fire went out
the room turned cold and the people kept their coats on
the room turned cold
the people kept their coats on

Explanation:

Identify the clauses in the sentence

The sentence is: "Because the fire went out, the room turned cold and the people kept their coats on."

• "Because the fire went out" is an adverbial dependent clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction "Because".
• "the room turned cold" is the first independent clause.
• "the people kept their coats on" is the second independent clause, joined to the first by the coordinating conjunction "and".

Determine the scope of modification

The introductory dependent clause "Because the fire went out" provides the cause or reason for both subsequent events. It modifies the entire compound main clause structure that follows it. Therefore, it modifies both independent clauses combined: "the room turned cold and the people kept their coats on".

Match with the given options

• Option 1: "the fire went out" (This is part of the dependent clause itself).
• Option 2: "the room turned cold and the people kept their coats on" (This represents both independent clauses being modified by the dependent clause).
• Option 3: "the room turned cold" (Only one of the modified independent clauses).
• Option 4: "the people kept their coats on" (Only the other modified independent clause).

The correct choice is the second option.

Answer:

• (A) the fire went out
• (B) the room turned cold and the people kept their coats on (Correct answer)
• (C) the room turned cold
• (D) the people kept their coats on