Fragment & Run ONs
Which of these is a fragment?
A) College is stressful.
B) Because college is stressful.
C) College is stressful, but students succeed.
D) Students succeed in stressful situations.
Answer: B) Because college is stressful
Reason: read the fragments out loud
Which transition best shows contrast?
A) For example
B) However
C) In addition
D) Therefore
Answer: B) However
Reason: Contrast transitions show a difference, an exception, or an opposite idea.
This sentence introduces the main idea of a paragraph.
Answer: What is a topic sentence?
Reason: topic/thesis = main idea
Which of the following is NOT part of a cohesive sentence?
A) A subject and predicate
B) A complete thought
C) Excessive filler words
D) Logical flow
C) Excessive filler words
Reason: these others are true to a cohesive sentence.
Which sentence is a run-on?
A) Students need more parking. They are often late.
B) Students need more parking because they are often late.
C) Students need more parking, they are often late.
D) Students need more parking, and they are often late.
Answer: C) Students need more parking, they are often late.
Reason: it needs a conjunction or make into separate sentences
Which transition best shows cause and effect?
A) In addition
B) For example
C) Therefore
D) However
Answer: C) Therefore
Reason: Cause-and-effect transitions show that one idea directly leads to another.
This sentence wraps up a paragraph and connects it back to the bigger idea.
Answer: What is a conclusion sentence?
Reason: Always sums things up. Also, does not include new information.
Which sentence needs a transition to improve flow?
A) College is stressful. Students still succeed.
B) College is stressful, but students still succeed.
A) College is stressful. Students still succeed.
Reason: These are choppy sentences.
Which sentence looks complete but is actually a fragment?
A) The students studied all night for their midterms.
B) While the students studied all night for their midterms.
C) The students studied all night, and they felt exhausted the next day.
D) The students studied, but they were still nervous about the test.
Answer: B) While the students studied all night for their midterms.
Reason: dependent clause, not a full thought
What's wrong with this sentence, if any?
Students want healthier food options in the cafeteria, however, the school has limited funding.
A) A period after "however."
B) A period after "cafeteria."
C) There is nothing wrong with the sentence
Answer: B) A period after "cafeteria."
Reason: a period or a semi-colon before "however."
This part of a paragraph explains why the topic matters before showing proof.
Answer: What is the "reason?"
Reason: remember the formula!
Topic+reason+evidence+analysis+conclusion
=cohesive paragraph.
Which part of the paragraph formula explains why your evidence matters?
A) Topic sentence
B) Reason
C) Evidence
D) Analysis
D) Analysis
Reason: analysis = explains (also goes after your evidence)
What is the BEST way to fix this run-on?
Graduate students are busy they often teach classes they also do research.
A) Graduate students are busy, and they often teach classes, they also do research.
B) Graduate students are busy; they often teach classes, and they also do research.
C) Graduate students are busy. They often teach classes. They also do research.
D) Graduate students are busy because they often teach classes and they also do research.
Answer: B) Graduate students are busy; they often teach classes, and they also do research.
Reason: B is strongest. C works but it is choppy)
Which transition would BEST fit here?
First-year students often oversleep for class. ___, many report staying up past midnight several times a week.
A) For example
B) Therefore
C) Nevertheless
D) In contrast
Answer: A) For example
Reason: It’s an illustration/evidence transition.
This paragraph is missing which element?
Graduate students work long hours. For example, many work more than 30 hours a week. As a result, their stress levels rise.
Answer: What is analysis?
Reasonn: Analysis = explaining
Is this mini paragraph cohesive? (True/False)
The library has computers, tutoring, and quiet spaces. However, many students complain about parking and commuting. This shows that the campus is too spread out for learning.
Answer: False
Reason: topic drifts away from library to parking.
Which revision BEST fixes this run-on?
"Students study in the library, they print assignments, they rush to class."
A) Students study in the library; they print assignments, and they rush to class.
B) Students study in the library, and they print assignments, and they rush to class.
C) Students study in the library. They print assignments. They rush to class.
D) Students study in the library because they print assignments and rush to class.
Answer: A) Students study in the library; they print assignments, and they rush to class.
Reason: best cohesion. C is grammatically correct, but is too choppy.
Which transition creates the clearest flow in this sentence?
Graduate students face financial stress. ___, many work more than 30 hours per week while also enrolled full-time.
A) Therefore
B) For example
C) However
D) In conclusion
Answer: B) ("For example" shows illustration)
Which sentence is evidence, not analysis?
A) A 2022 survey showed that 65% of freshmen reported missing at least one deadline.
B) This demonstrates that time management is a widespread issue, not just a personal problem.
Answer: What is A (the survey).
Reason: Which one is NOT "explaining."
Is this paragraph cohesive? (True/False)
Freshmen often struggle with time management. For example, many stay up too late and miss assignments. Professors post office hours every week. As a result, students sometimes feel unprepared for exams.
Answer: False
Reason: The third sentence about professors’ office hours doesn’t clearly connect to the time management focus, so the paragraph drifts.