Sentence Boundaries: Run-ons and Fragments

Name______

Lesson #1: Sentence Boundary Problems: Fragments.

Consider the following SAT question:

  1. The subject our family discussed, which was whether investing in a computer will encourage us to do homework or simply provide another way to avoid it.
  1. discussed, which was whether investing in a computer will encourage
  2. discussed was if we would invest in a computer would this encourage
  3. discussed was that investing in a computer would result in encouraging
  4. discussed was will investing in a computer mean encouragement of
  5. discussed was whether investing in a computer would encourage

Define these terms: (see “Glossary of grammatical terms” in APSM p. 242-249)

  1. Subject:
  1. Predicate:
  1. Subordinate or dependent clause:
  1. Subordinating conjunction:

Read APSM 14: “Repair sentence fragments”

  1. What are the two ways to repair a sentence fragment?
  1. Identify the problem in #1 above.

Now try this SAT question:

  1. Louisiana resident Edmund McIlhenny, who received a patent for his unique way of processing peppers into a hot and spicy sauce, doing so less than two years after he began marketing his product.
  1. McIlhenny, who received a patent for his unique way of processing peppers into a hot and spicy sauce, doing so
  2. McIlhenny, who received a patent for his unique way of processing peppers into a hot and spicy sauce, and who did so
  3. McIlhenny received a patent for his unique way of processing peppers into a hot and spicy sauce
  4. McIlhenny received a patent for his unique way of processing peppers into a hot and spicy sauce, achieving this honor
  5. McIlhenny was receiving a patent for his unique way of processing peppers into a hot and spicy sauce, this was accomplished

Lesson #2: Sentence Boundary Problems: Run-on Sentences.

Consider the following SAT question:

  1. In 1932, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which was founded by Sir Thomas Beecham, debuted in Queen’s Hall, it was intended to be a counterpart to the orchestras of Vienna and Berlin.

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Sentence Boundaries: Run-ons and Fragments

  1. Hall, it was intended to be
  2. Hall with the intention of becoming
  3. Hall and it was intended to be
  4. Hall, but it was intended to be
  5. Hall; it was intended to be

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Sentence Boundaries: Run-ons and Fragments

Define these terms: (see “Glossary of grammatical terms” in APSM p. 242-249)

  1. Clause:
  1. Independent clause:
  1. Coordinating conjunction:

Read APSM 18a: “The semicolon” What are the two situations where a semicolon is used?

Read APSM 15: “Revise run-on sentences”

  1. What are the two types of run-on sentences?
  1. Identify the problem in SAT question #3.
  1. What are the four main ways to revise a run-on sentence?

Now try these two SAT questions:

  1. Which of the following is the best version of sentence 10 (reproduced below)?

Composer Jonathan Larson created the musical Rent in 1996 it takes much of the storyline and characters from La Boheme.

  1. As it is written (no changes)
  2. Composer Jonathan Larson created the musical Rent in 1996, it takes much of the storyline and characters from La Boheme.
  3. Much of the storyline and characters from La Boheme were included in Rent, which is a musical comedy created by composer Jonathan Larson created the musical in 1996.
  4. Rent, a musical by composer Jonathan Larson in 1996, was created by using much of the storyline and characters from La Boheme.
  5. Composer Jonathan Larson created the musical Rent in 1996 using much of the storyline and many of the characters from La Boheme.
  1. If all goes as expected, Max will graduate from junior college in two years, he will complete his education at a state university.
  2. graduate from junior college in two years, he will complete
  3. graduate from junior college in two years and complete
  4. graduated from junior college in two years and he will complete
  5. graduate from junior college in two years; he will be completing
  6. have graduated from junior college in two years, he will complete

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