TSA CBT Practice Test

What is an example of a nonrestrictive clause?

1. The book that I borrowed was excellent

2. The car, which is red, belongs to my father

3. The man who runs the shop is friendly

4. The flower that bloomed last week is beautiful

The correct answer is: The car, which is red, belongs to my father

A nonrestrictive clause provides additional information about a noun, but it does not limit or define the noun's meaning. This type of clause is usually set off by commas. In the correct answer, the clause "which is red" adds extra information about the car but is not essential to understand which car is being referred to; the sentence would still make sense without it: "The car belongs to my father." In contrast, the other options contain restrictive clauses. These clauses specify or limit the noun they modify, meaning that they provide essential information necessary for identifying the noun's specific referent. For example, "that I borrowed" clarifies which book, "who runs the shop" identifies which specific man, and "that bloomed last week" indicates which flower is beautiful. These clauses are integral to the meaning of their respective sentences.