Which of the following is a compound sentence made up of two independent clauses joined by correct punctuation?

A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses that are connected by a coordinating conjunction or punctuation such as a comma and a conjunction. In the correct answer, "The car has new tires, but the exhaust system needs work," there are two independent clauses: "The car has new tires" and "the exhaust system needs work." These clauses can stand alone as complete sentences, and they are properly joined by the coordinating conjunction "but," which indicates a contrast between the two ideas. The use of the comma before the conjunction aligns with standard grammar rules for compound sentences.

In contrast, the other options do not present two independent clauses or do not follow the rules of punctuation for compound sentences. The second choice, for example, is a simple sentence that lists details rather than connecting two complete ideas. The third option introduces a dependent clause and does not form a compound sentence. The fourth choice contains a relative clause, making it a complex sentence rather than a compound one.