The assignment is about dependent and independent clauses. I understand the difference between them, but I don't understand what the connecting word is. Here are the sentences:

Question

While she is looking for birds, she also picks up special shells. When she walks near the ocean, tiny crabs move across the sand.
It seems like while and when should be the connecting words.

Answer 1

You're right! :-)

WHILE and WHEN are the connecting words. If you reverse the order of the dependent and independent clauses, you'll see how these words connect the two clauses.

Answer 2

Yes, those are the connecting words. They are both conjunctions.

Answer 3

Thanks Ms. Sue!