I'll answer for the dependent clauses.
In #1, "Contrary to popular expectations" is the dependent clause.
In #2, the dependent clause is "It's a little known fact."
In #3, the dependent clause is "Mrs. Kelly reflected that, besides flying."
No swimming in the lake they said, over and over again. No one believed the rumours, of the monster that slept and waited to grab you from your life above. No one believed yet no one dared go near the lake, at least until now. The darkness around me welcomed me, the wind voiced its opinion, getting more violent. Warning me to not risk it, but I didn’t care anymore, they were all lies so why should I believe this one.
Suddenly, everything goes black and then next time I open my eyes all I see is water, it feels my lungs and holds me down like an anchor, I scream but nothing happens, my legs desperately move hoping to reach the surface but nothing happened again. I looked down to see an abnormally green hand holding my ankle. No… that’s impossible…
Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as. On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true.
