English Grammar Test: Run-ons, Comma Splices, And Fragments
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Those of you interested in English grammar will enjoy this quiz, as it deals primarily with some of the things that most writers have difficulty mastering. What do you know about run-ons, comma splices, and fragments? Let’s take a look and find out, shall we?
- 1.
- A.
Our town has four restaurants only one is open at 7:00 am.
- B.
Our town has four restaurants, only one is open at 7:00 am.
- C.
Our town has four restaurants; only one, is open at 7:00 am.
- D.
Our town has four restaurants; only one is open at 7:00 am.
- E.
Only one is open at 7:00 am, our town has four restaurants.
- 2.Which sentence below is correct?
- A.
Look through the window you can see the mountain peaks in the distance.
- B.
If you look through the window, you can see the mountain peaks in the distance.
- C.
Look through the window, you can see the mountain peaks in the distance.
- D.
You can see the mountain peaks in the distance, look through the window.
- 3.
- A.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter however in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- B.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter, however, in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- C.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter however, in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- D.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter; however in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- E.
Larry is never interested in going for a run in the winter; however, in the summer he'll take a brief jog.
- 4.
- A.
We've done all that we can here pack up the supplies.
- B.
We've done all that we can here, pack up the supplies.
- C.
Pack up the supplies, we've done all that we can here.
- D.
We've done all that we can here; pack up the supplies.
- 5.Which one is NOT a sentence fragment?
- A.
Although it was a more difficult test than the students had ever taken.
- B.
We decided to study before we went out to the party.
- C.
Her ability to remember details, after all, not what is used to be.
- 6.Which one is NOT a sentence fragment?
- A.
Sand piling up along the beach.
- B.
She wanted to use a shovel to dig a hole in the ground.
- C.
However, who wanted to be the winner of the contest.
- 7.Which one is NOT a sentence fragment?
- A.
Bobby receiving more than sixty boxes of donations this year.
- B.
Leaving for Florida soon.
- C.
Since Susan hasn't seen the dentist, her teeth are rotten.
- 8.Select the answer that correctly completes each group of words to form a sentence or sentences. The best way to get to Columbus, Ohio is to take the highway __________ is no point in taking an airplane these days.
- A.
, there;
- B.
, there
- C.
. There
- D.
There
- 9.Select the answer that correctly completes each group of words to form a sentence or sentences. Having a car allows you to get places quickly _______________ don't have to ask your parents for a ride.
- A.
So you,
- B.
So you;
- C.
, so you,
- D.
, so you
- 10.Select the answer that correctly completes each group of words to form a sentence or sentences. Normally, I wouldn't spend time with elves and fairies ___________ are so fascinating.
- A.
But; they
- B.
But. They
- C.
, but they
- D.
But they,
- 11.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction or semicolon.
- 12.What does the following sentence need?Laughing that hard made my stomach hurt, I had to sit down.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs conjunction.
- 13.What does the following sentence need?Until I receive confirmation that you have enrolled in classes this semester.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs conjunction.
- 14.What does the following sentence need? Pauline yelled at the boy teetering on the bridge he fell in.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction.
- 15.What does the following sentence need? Bobby is pleased with the purchase he made earlier in the day.
- A.
The sentence is correct.
- B.
The group of words is a dependent clause and can't stand alone as a sentence.
- C.
The group of words is a phrase and is missing a verb; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- D.
The group of words is a run-on or comma splice and needs a conjunction.
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