Which sentence is an example of a compound sentence?

A compound sentence is defined as a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. The correct answer demonstrates this structure clearly. In the provided sentence, "He likes coffee" and "she prefers tea" are both independent clauses, meaning each can stand alone as a complete sentence. They are connected by the coordinating conjunction "and," which effectively forms a compound sentence. This structure is essential in adding complexity and variety to sentence construction, allowing the writer to convey multiple ideas in a single sentence while maintaining clarity.

In contrast, the other choices consist of simple sentences, each containing only one independent clause without any conjunctions or additional clauses, thereby failing to meet the criteria for a compound sentence.