Fragments & Run-ons - Answer Key

1.  Choose the group of words that turns the following sentence fragment into a complete sentence: Was startled by the sonic boom.

(A) The whole city was startled by the sonic boom
(B) Was startled by the sonic boom this morning.

Correct Answer: (A)  This fragment is missing a subject, and The whole city will do nicely.

2.  Choose the group of words that turns the following sentence fragment into a complete sentence: The ostrich and the emu.

(A) People sometimes mistake the ostrich and the emu.
(B) The ostrich and the emu running at top speed.

Correct Answer: (A)  This fragment doesn't have a verb. Adding People as a subject and mistake as a verb, this becomes a complete sentence.

3.  Choose the group of words that turns the following sentence fragment into a complete sentence: Which North American river?

(A) Which North American river empties into the Gulf of Mexico?
(B) Which North American river? Empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

Correct Answer: (A)  There's no verb in this fragment. This sentence adds a verb, empties, and an object, the Gulf of Mexico.

4.  Choose the answer that best explains why the following group of words is a fragment: The blue sky and puffy clouds.

(A) subject missing
(B) verb missing
(C) subject and verb missing
(D) incorrect punctuation

Correct Answer: (B)  We have a compound subject, but it isn't doing anything because there is no verb.

5.  Choose the answer that best explains why the following group of words is a fragment: The lantern may be lit. As soon as it gets dark.

(A) subject missing
(B) verb missing
(C) subject and verb missing
(D) incorrect punctuation

Correct Answer: (D)  Removing the period after lit will make this a complete complex sentence.

6.  Choose the answer that best explains why the following group of words is a fragment: Signed the Declaration of Independence.

(A) subject missing
(B) verb missing
(C) subject and verb missing
(D) incorrect punctuation

Correct Answer: (A)  Who signed the Declaration of Independence? We don't know because there is no subject to perform the action of the verb signed.

7.  Choose the answer that best explains why the following group of words is a fragment: In the middle of the night.

(A) subject missing
(B) verb missing
(C) subject and verb missing
(D) incorrect punctuation

Correct Answer: (C)  This is just a prepositional phrase with no subject or verb.

8.  Choose the group of words that best corrects the following run-on sentence: Jamal and Vincent tried out for the team both were good players.

(A) Jamal and Vincent tried out for the team; both were good players.
(B) Jamal and Vincent tried out for the team, both were good players.

Correct Answer: (A)  Adding a semicolon after team makes this into a compound sentence.

9.  Choose the group of words that best corrects the following run-on sentence: Pine needles are really leaves cactus spines are really leaves.

(A) Pine needles are really leaves, cactus spines are really leaves.
(B) Pine needles and cactus spines are really leaves.

Correct Answer: (B)  Since the same thing is being said about pine needles and cactus spines, they should be made into a compound subject.

10. Choose the group of words that best corrects the following run-on sentence: The villagers ran when they felt the ground shake they knew the volcano would erupt soon. 

(A) The villagers ran when they felt the ground shake. They knew the volcano would erupt soon.
(B) The villagers ran when they felt the ground shake, they knew the volcano would erupt soon.

Correct Answer: (A)  Since there are two independent clauses here, this run-on can be broken up into two complete sentences.