Which group of words in this sentence is an independent clause?

Back in New York once more, Bearden briefly became a songwriter before persuing art again.
A. Bearden briefly became a songwriter
B. became a songwriter before persuing art again
C. Back in New York once more
D. before persuing art again

The life of the typical college student is characterized by time pent in many different areas. how can this thesis statement be improved? typical college students spend their time in numerous ways and in various areas. the life of the average college student is mostly characterized by time and work spent in many different areas. the life of the average college student is characterized by time spent in many different areas. the life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.

He leaned his head against the wall; his eyes were shut, his hands clasped in each other, and his body seemed to be sustained in an upright position merely by the cellar-door against which he rested his left shoulder. the lethargy into which he was sunk seemed scarcely interrupted by my feeling his hand and his forehead. his throbbing temples and burning skin indicated a fever . . there was only one circumstance that hindered me from forming an immediate determination in what manner this person should be treated. my family consisted of my wife and a young child. our servant-maid had been seized, three days before, by the reigning malady, and, at her own request, had been conveyed to the hospital. we ourselves enjoyed good health, and were hopeful of escaping with our lives. our measures for this end had been cautiously taken and carefully adhered to. they did not consist in avoiding the receptacles of infection, for my office required me to go daily into the midst of them; nor in filling the house with the exhalations of gunpowder, vinegar, or tar. they consisted in cleanliness, reasonable exercise, and wholesome diet. who is the story’s first-person narrator

What tone does this passage convey? sara thought about her options and sighed. she figured nothing could make her situation better. angry satirical humorous pessimistic