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Run-on/Comma Splice/Fragment Quiz

If you need more help with run-on sentences, comma splices, or sentence fragments, take a look at this Writing Center handout:

 

 

 
No. of Questions= 30
For questions 1-20, identify whether each group of words is a fragment, a comma splice, a run-on sentence, or a correct sentence.


1. I packed only casual clothes for my trip. A pair of jeans, two T-shirts, and a sweater.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
2. Jay went sightseeing on his own and caught up with the group later.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
3. Whenever I look at pictures of white-water rafting. I remember what a great time I had on my first raft trip.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
4. Archie Griffin played football at Ohio State University he won the Heisman Trophy in 1974 and 1975.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
5. The Chicago Bulls picked Croatian player Toni Kukoc in the 1990 NBA draft.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
6. Interpol, which is the international crime information center. Its headquarters are in France.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
7. My father was a kind and gentle man, however, he was a firm believer in discipline.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
8. Although Harriet is a careful and diligent writer.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
9. Eurail passes are considered a good bargain for tourists wishing to see Europe.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
10. He suggested that we not attend the concert. When I told him the cost of the tickets.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
11. Hal's driving makes me nervous everybody's driving makes me nervous.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
12. In order to see my nephew play football. We drove all night.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
13. She broke the zipper on her evening dress, her mother had to cut the dress off.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
14. The rain was cold, and the wind was piercing.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
15. Paper towels serve many useful purposes, and they are not very expensive.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
16. Curtis is the oldest of five children he is the only one to have graduated from college.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
17. Flannery O'Connor, who has been called one of the South's great writers.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
18. While you live in this house, you must follow our rules.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
19. Ballet requires concentration and self-discipline, it provides great satisfaction to both the dancer and the audience.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
20. Because he can never make up his mind about anything.
a) correct sentence
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment

The sentences in questions 21-30 make a paragraph. Identify whether the word groups are sentence fragments, comma splices, run-on sentences, or correct sentences.

21. We know that new words are constantly coming into our language.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
22. Some of the new words are slang expressions, these words often do not last very long.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
23. Most of us know at least a few "private" slang expressions.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
24. These words are part of our language only in a limited sense most speakers of the language do not know them.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
25. Other slang terms often become generally popular.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
26. Like a new hit tune, a new slang word may gain acceptance almost overnight.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
27. Being heard everywhere for a few months, then fading into oblivion.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
28. We can all name slang expressions that have gone out-of-date, for instance, right on and groovy were popular in our parents' generation.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice
c) run-on sentence
d) sentence fragment
29. In our grandparents' generation, skidoo, ixnay and the cat's pajamas.
a) correct sentence (complete sentence)
b) comma splice