Pretest: Fragments, Run-ons, and Complete Sentences

Which of the following is a fragment?

• The bird flew high above the trees.

• After the game ended and everyone went home.

• The students lined up quietly for lunch.

• The car stopped suddenly at the red light.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'After the game ended and everyone went home,' is a fragment because it lacks a main clause. It sets up a situation but does not complete a thought, unlike the other complete sentences.

Which of the following is a complete sentence?

• A. While walking to the park.

• B. The cat purred softly as it lay in the sun.

• C. Because the bus arrived late this morning.

• D. Jumping over the fence to chase the rabbit.

Answer explanation

Choice B is a complete sentence because it has a subject ('The cat') and a predicate ('purred softly as it lay in the sun'). The other options are fragments and do not express a complete thought.

Which sentence contains a fragment?

• The children played outside until it got dark.

• Running as fast as they could toward the finish line.

• The flowers in the garden bloom every spring.

• The teacher explained the homework clearly to the class.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'Running as fast as they could toward the finish line.' is a fragment because it lacks a main clause. It does not express a complete thought, unlike the other sentences which are complete.

Which of the following is a fragment?

• As the sun set over the mountains.

• The dog barked loudly at the mail carrier.

• My best friend and I love to read fantasy novels.

• The soccer team practiced for their big game.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'As the sun set over the mountains,' is a fragment because it lacks a main clause. It does not express a complete thought, unlike the other options which are complete sentences.

How can you fix the fragment below? "After the rain stopped."

• A. After the rain stopped, the kids went outside to play.

• B. The kids went outside to play. After the rain stopped.

• C. After. The rain stopped, the kids went outside to play.

• D. The rain stopped. And the kids went outside to play.

Answer explanation

The fragment "After the rain stopped" is incomplete. Choices A and B provide complete sentences by adding a main clause, making them correct. A connects the two ideas smoothly, while B places the fragment at the end.

Which of the following fixes the fragment below? "Because she forgot her homework at home."

• Because she forgot her homework at home she explained to the teacher.

• She forgot her homework at home because she explained to the teacher.

• She explained to the teacher because she forgot her homework at home.

• She forgot her homework at home.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'She explained to the teacher because she forgot her homework at home,' provides a complete thought, linking the reason for her explanation to the action of forgetting her homework, thus fixing the fragment.

What is the best way to correct this fragment? "Walking through the park and enjoying the fresh air."

• The fresh air was enjoyable while walking through the park.

• Walking through the park and enjoying the fresh air was relaxing.

• Walking through the park and enjoying. The fresh air.

• Enjoying the fresh air. Walking through the park.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Walking through the park and enjoying the fresh air was relaxing,' transforms the fragment into a complete sentence by adding a subject and verb, making it grammatically correct.

Which of the following is a complete sentence?

• Before we left for the airport.

• We packed our suitcases and double-checked our tickets.

• Packing the car with all the luggage.

• If the flight arrives on time.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'We packed our suitcases and double-checked our tickets,' is a complete sentence as it has a subject ('We') and a predicate ('packed our suitcases and double-checked our tickets'). The other options are fragments.

Which of the following contains a fragment?

• The storm passed, and the sky cleared up.

• The players cheered after winning the game.

• Hoping to find her lost bracelet in the sand.

• We walked along the beach as the sun set.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Hoping to find her lost bracelet in the sand,' is a fragment because it lacks a main clause. It does not express a complete thought, unlike the other options which are complete sentences.

Which sentence does NOT contain a fragment?

• The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.

• While the water boiled on the stove.

• The children running through the playground.

• Because the music was too loud.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.' is a complete thought with a subject and a verb, making it a full sentence. The other options are fragments as they lack a main clause.