Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What does a clause contain?

1. A noun and an adjective

2. A noun and a verb

3. An adverb and a preposition

4. A subject and a predicate

The correct answer is: A noun and a verb

A clause is a fundamental component of sentence structure that typically includes both a subject and a verb. To elaborate, a subject is the noun or pronoun that the clause is about, and the predicate is the part of the clause that tells something about the subject, often containing a verb. This structure allows clauses to express complete thoughts or ideas. While it might seem that a clause could consist solely of a noun and a verb, this lacks the necessary context provided by the predicate that completes the meaning of the clause. Other options presented include combinations that do not adequately define a clause. For instance, a noun and an adjective do not encompass the required elements of action or state of being, which are essential in a clause. Similarly, an adverb and a preposition do not contain the necessary components to form a complete thought, as they serve different grammatical functions without providing a subject-verb relationship. Therefore, the combination of a subject and a predicate is the defining characteristic of a clause, making this the correct answer.