Read the excerpt. after a strenuous climb, the hikers decided to make camp before reaching the summit; night was approaching rap
idly. which statement most accurately describes this excerpt? it contains three dependent clauses. it contains three independent clauses. it contains two independent clauses. it contains two dependent clauses.
The statement most accurately describes this excerpt is that it contains two dependent <u>clauses</u> and one independent clause.
<h3>What are dependent and independent clauses? </h3>
An independent clause is the main clause which is the subject and verb as well as complete as the sentence. However, the dependent clause is incomplete and<u> cannot stand alone</u>.
Therefore, "<u>after a strenuous climb</u>" and "<u>night was approaching rapidly</u>" are dependent clauses that become absolute due to the independent clause that is "hikers decided to make camp before reaching the summit."