English 021Final PracticeName______

I Fragments

Underline the fragment in each item, and identify the type of fragment it is: is it a prepositional phrase, ing-fragment (present-participle fragment), ed-fragment (past-participle fragment), to-fragment (infinitive fragment), added-detail fragment (p. 105 in Sentence Skills), missing subject fragment, or dependent clause fragment. Correct the fragments by rewriting the sentences. Punctuate correctly. Do you add the fragment to the independent clause with a comma or without a comma.Try not to added or change words. See my study guide and the chapter on fragments in Sentence Skills with Readings.

  1. When I left the country. I took my passport and my luggage.
  1. Roderick can be very persistent. Especially when he wants a better grade.
  1. During the weekends. Jennifer and Chris go bowling.
  1. Sitting in the corner. The cat looked at the food longingly.
  1. Christie went to the market. And bought milk and juice for her birthday party.

II Run-ons

Correct the run-ons. Use different options from the "Five Ways to Correct a Run-on" handout (from my Web site) for each sentence.

  1. Carol is going to school she enjoys taking English classes.
  1. I don’t like eating chocolate cake I’m allergic to cocoa beans.
  1. We looked for the moon it was hidden behind a big tree.
  1. We drove into the mountains our car broke down halfway to our destination.
  1. Leon looked at the present under the tree he wanted to rip it open before Christmas.

III. Pronouns (see chapter 15 in Sentence Skills with Readings in your text)

  1. List the three types of pronoun errors we discussed in class.

For questions 2-7, cross out each pronoun error (if there is an error) and write the correction below it. If there is no error write "correct" below the sentence.

  1. One of my friends entered their dog in a Frisbee tournament.
  1. If I work with an irresponsible lab partner, you will find it difficult to complete experiments successfully.
  1. When the car banged into the wall, it was damaged.
  1. Neither of the men was aware that their voice was being taped.
  1. If anybody in the men’s club objects to the new rules, they should speak up now.
  1. Come to the movie with John and I. (by the way, what is the subject of this sentence?)

8. The noun for which the pronoun stands is the ______.

Commas

  1. Which of the following sentences has a missing comma?
  1. In a matter of minutes the teenager ate four hamburgers and two orders of fries.
  2. According to Luigi, the biggest challenge he faced when he came to America was to find a job.
  3. The flight attendant seated the passenger by the window to solve the conflict.
  1. Which of the following sentences has a missing comma?
  1. The farmer discovered a small, sparkling, odd-shaped rock crystal in the field.
  2. College counselors help students to solve family problems and explore career possibilities.
  3. Jennifer will get a pay raise if she works weekends arrives on time every day and never misses work.
  1. Which of the following sentences has a missing comma?
  1. Time passed, but she came to no conclusion.
  2. Dictionaries and glossaries are similar because both contain alphabetized lists of words with definitions.
  3. A glossary doesn’t provide as much information as a dictionary nor does it include information about the word’s origin.
  1. Which of the following sentences has a missing comma?
  1. Zebras on the other hand are feisty.
  2. This author is, I believe, the leading authority astrology.
  3. The roses were placed in a pink crystal vase.
  1. Which of the following sentences has a missing comma?
  1. The house that I like is for sale.
  2. She does not have a high salary although she works hard.
  3. “Create a clear outline,” instructed Ms. Brown “and write down a rough draft.”
  1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
  1. Of all the substances in the human body tooth enamel is the hardest.
  2. Of all the substances, in the human body, tooth enamel is the hardest.
  3. Of all the substances in the human body, tooth enamel is the hardest.
  1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
  1. “To my daughter, a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand” Melanie sighed.
  2. “To my daughter, a balanced diet is a cookie, in each hand” Melanie sighed.
  3. “To my daughter, a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand,” Melanie sighed.
  1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
  1. Eating, sleeping, and playing are my cat’s top priority.
  2. Eating, sleeping, and playing, are my cat’s top priority.
  3. Eating sleeping and playing are my cat’s top priority.
  1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
  1. Jane and Mike had planned a terrific barbecue but rain made them cancel their plans.
  2. Jane and Mike had planned a terrific barbecue, but rain made them cancel their plans.
  3. Jane and Mike had planned a terrific barbecue but rain, made them cancel their plans.
  1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
  1. The puppy a yellow Labrador retriever was playing tug-of-war with a baby in the yard.
  2. The puppy, a yellow, Labrador, retriever, was playing tug-of-war with a baby in the yard.
  3. The puppy, a yellow Labrador retriever, was playing tug-of-war with a baby in the yard.