Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

What characterizes a complex sentence?

1. Two independent clauses linked by a conjunction

2. One independent and one or more subordinate clauses

3. A sequence of simple sentences

4. A single clause with no conjunctions

The correct answer is: One independent and one or more subordinate clauses

A complex sentence is characterized by the presence of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, while the subordinate clause, which often begins with a subordinating conjunction (such as 'because,' 'although,' or 'while'), cannot stand alone. This structure allows for more depth and complexity in expressing ideas, as it can convey relationships between different thoughts and provide additional context or detail. For instance, in the sentence "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk," the independent clause "we decided to go for a walk" stands on its own, while the subordinate clause "Although it was raining" provides context that modifies the situation. The ability to combine ideas in this way is what distinguishes complex sentences from other types of sentences. The other choices describe different sentence structures. For example, two independent clauses linked by a conjunction indicate a compound sentence, a sequence of simple sentences refers to multiple separate statements, and a single clause with no conjunctions simply describes a simple sentence. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for mastering sentence structure and improving writing skills.