What defines a simple sentence?

A simple sentence is defined as a sentence that consists of only one clause, which includes a single subject and predicate. This means that it expresses a complete thought and contains a subject (the doer of the action) and a verb (the action being performed) without any additional clauses. For example, the sentence "The dog barks" is a simple sentence because it has one subject, "the dog," and one predicate, "barks."

In contrast, the other options describe structures that go beyond the basic definition of a simple sentence. A sentence with more than one subject or predicate would be classified as a compound sentence. A sentence that contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses would be a complex sentence. Lastly, a sentence that requires a counterargument is not a structural definition but rather relates to argumentative writing. Thus, the option that specifies a single clause with a subject and predicate accurately captures the essence of what constitutes a simple sentence.