Free Answer Key, Sentence Fragments, Worksheet 4, 18 Exercises

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The Free Answer Key and Tips for Fragments, Worksheet 4, 18 Exercises

Each item below contains a sentence fragment. Fix it in the space provided.

1. After the receptionist led the family to the table.
• Answer 1: After the receptionist led the family to the table, the server brought the menus.
• Answer 2: The receptionist led the family to the table.
• Answer 3: Mom and Mrs. Highsmith went to the restroom after the receptionist led the family to the table.
2. Being that Leonel Messi scored two goals in the last three minutes of the match.
• Answer 1: Barcelona won the exciting match because Leonel Messi scored two goals in the last three minutes of the match.
Tip: Ask students to void the construction “Being that.” This construction sounds non-standard and can usually be replaced with “because.”
• Answer 2: Leonel Messi scored two goals in the last three minutes of the match against Real Madrid.
• Answer 3: Having scored two goals in the last three minutes of the match against Real Madrid, Leonel Messi was declared the tournament’s most valuable player.
3. Reprimanded by her coach for wearing the wrong colored shoes to the state championship match.
• Answer 1: Reprimanded by her coach for wearing the wrong colored shoes to the state championship match, Rebecca sat on the bench for the entire match.
• Answer 2: Rebecca was reprimanded by her coach for wearing the wrong colored shoes to the state championship match.
• Answer 3: Rebecca quit the team because she was reprimanded by her coach for wearing the wrong colored shoes to the state championship match.

  Tip: Students will quickly see that to form effective, meaningful sentences, they will usually have to add information. They may have to create names and add information to the sentence. This necessary addition enhances their ability to formulate new ideas.

4. Despite Ramona having denied ever meeting Maggie’s husband at Le Chalet restaurant.
• Answer 1: Maggie remained angry at Ramona, despite Ramona having denied ever meeting Maggie’s husband at Le Chalet restaurant.
• Answer 2: Ramona denied ever meeting Maggie’s husband at Le Chalet restaurant.

  Tip: Removing information and forming a simple, declarative sentence is the most expedient solution for most of these sentences, but not the most interesting one.

• Answer 3: Despite Ramona having denied ever meeting Maggie’s husband at Le Chalet restaurant, the good friends broke up over a suspicion of infidelity.
5. Limp, with orange-red tentacles waving from its bloated carcass next to the shoreline.
• Answer 1: Limp, with orange-red tentacles waving from its bloated carcass next to the shoreline, the strange sea animal floated toward the swimmers.
• Answer 2: The strange octopus floated near the swimmers, Limp, with orange-red tentacles waving from its bloated carcass.

  Tip: In answer 2, it made sense to me to remove some information. Answers will vary. The key point to stress is that the idea of the sentence must be communicated clearly and completely.

• Answer 3: The strange sea animal was limp, with orange-red tentacles waving from its bloated carcass next to the shoreline.
6. Sipping champagne in first class during Flight 321 from Kansas City to Atlanta.
Answer 1: Jason was sipping champagne in first class during Flight 321 from Kansas City to Atlanta. Answer 2: Sipping champagne in first class during Flight 321 from Kansas City to Atlanta, the Hewlett Packard sales executive wrote her monthly expense report. Tip: Again, please note that the answers will vary greatly, and the students may express their creativity in constructing wildly different scenarios.
7. Crossing 8th street quickly and running in the general direction of Marlins Stadium.
Answer 1: Marlon crossed 8th street quickly and ran in the general direction of Marlins Stadium. Answer 2: Crossing 8th street quickly and running in the general direction of Marlins Stadium, Marlon tried to catch up to his friends before they paid for the tickets. Answer 3: As he crossed 8th street quickly and ran in the general direction of Marlins Stadium, Marlon tried to catch up to his friends before they paid for the tickets.
8. Stuffed with ground ham, onions, carrots, diced chestnuts and a peeled lemon.
Answer 1: The turkey was stuffed with ground ham, onions, carrots, diced chestnuts and a peeled lemon. Answer 2: Mrs. Jamison stuffed the turkey with ground ham, onions, carrots, diced chestnuts and a peeled lemon. Answer 3: Stuffed with ground ham, onions, carrots, diced chestnuts and a peeled lemon, the Thanksgiving turkey smelled delicious.
9. But never after eating a five-course dinner at his fiancé’s mansion.
Answer 1: William had never eaten a five-course dinner at his fiancé’s mansion. Answer 2: William had attended a classical music concert but never after eating a five-course dinner at his fiancé’s mansion. Tip: This base sentence fragment is very specific. It suggests that an event occurred some time in the past to someone, but never “after eating a five-course dinner at his fiancé’s mansion.” Some students will try to alter the meaning somewhat by simplifying, as in Answer 1. Answer 2 is closer to the intended meaning. When students produce sentence fragments such as this one in their own writing, the best solution is usually to connect the fragment to the idea immediately before, as in Answer 2.
10. Without the material advantages of most of his classmates at Tufts University.
• Answer 1: Alex did not have the material advantages of most of his classmates at Tufts University.
• Answer 2: Alex made the Dean’s List his freshman year without having the material advantages of most of his classmates at Tufts University.
• Answer 3: Without the material advantages of most of his classmates at Tufts University, Alex found it difficult to engage in social activities.
11. Dressed elegantly in a blue blazer, Khaki pants, and new penny loafers.
• Answer 1: Peter dressed elegantly in a blue blazer, Khaki pants, and new penny loafers.
• Answer 2: Dressed elegantly in a blue blazer, Khaki pants, and new penny loafers, Peter delivered the graduation speech with aplomb.
• Answer 3: His mother dressed Peter elegantly in a blue blazer, Khaki pants, and new penny loafers.
12. By giving half of his inheritance to Christ Journey Church for use in missionary work.
• Answer 1: Mr. Waldorf increased his deductions for charitable contributions by giving half of his inheritance to Christ Journey Church for use in missionary work.
• Answer 2: Franklin Gomez gave half of his inheritance to Christ Journey Church for use in missionary work.
• Answer 3: Robert Maples attempted to ease his guilty conscience by giving half of his inheritance to Christ Journey Church for use in missionary work.
13. Sitting patiently in the waiting room, watching the Washington Nationals defeat the Cubs on Bryce Harper home run.
• Answer 1: Charlene sat patiently in the waiting room, watching the Washington Nationals defeat the Cubs on Bryce Harper home run.
• Answer 2: Sitting patiently in the waiting room, watching the Washington Nationals defeat the Cubs on Bryce Harper home run, Charlene cried was distracted while her husband had his spleen removed.
• Answer 3: Charlene passed the time watching TV, sitting patiently in the waiting room, watching the Washington Nationals defeat the Cubs on Bryce Harper home run.
14. In addition to costing more than half of the entire budget allocation.
• Answer 1: In addition to costing more than half of the entire budget allocation, the new addition to the university would take two years to build.
• Answer 2: The new wing of the hospital cost more than half of the entire budget allocation.
• Answer 3: The prison near the residential neighborhood was wildly unpopular, in addition to costing more than half of the entire budget allocation.

  Tip: The thing to understand and remember here is that students MUST make up a plausible scenario for something costing “more than half of the entire budget allocation.” They must make up plausible information. For some, this might be a challenge. Some will need to understand the word “allocation” and “budget.”

15. For example, the large cattleya orchid on the balcony overlooking the pool.
• Answer 1: For example, the large cattleya orchid on the balcony overlooking the pool died in the scorching hot sun. Tip: Again, we must say SOMETHING about the orchid. What happened to it? Under what conditions does it live? Who takes care of it? Students must create these conditions.
• Answer 2: Uncle James enjoys growing exotic flowers. Take, for example, the large cattleya orchid on the balcony overlooking the pool.
• Answer 3: Uncle James enjoys growing exotic flowers, for example, the large cattleya orchid on the balcony overlooking the pool.
16. While I was quietly waiting to take my flu vaccine shot at the doctor’s office.
• Answer 1: While I was quietly waiting to take my flu vaccine shot at the doctor’s office, I received a call from my agent.
• Answer 2: I checked my Instagram while I was quietly waiting to take my flu vaccine shot at the doctor’s office.
• Answer 3: I waited to take my flu vaccine shot at the doctor’s office.
Tip: Answer 3 uses the simple past instead of the progressive. This sentence simply states a fact.
17. With nowhere to turn to after leaving home and staying at his girlfriend’s house for two weeks.
• Answer 1: With nowhere to turn to after leaving home and staying at his girlfriend’s house for two weeks, Luke returned to his parents’ house.
• Answer 2: Luke joined the navy because he had nowhere to turn to after leaving home and staying at his girlfriend’s house for two weeks.

Tip: Answer 2 alters the syntax somewhat, but the key is to communicate significant meaning in a complete sentence.

• Answer 3: Luke turned himself in to the authorities with nowhere to turn to after leaving home and staying at his girlfriend’s house for two weeks.

18. Like the time that Aunt Joan took us all to Disney World for spring break.
• Answer 1: We had a lot of fun at Universal Studios, like the time that Aunt Joan took us all to Disney World for spring break.
• Answer 2: The vacation was a complete disaster, like the time that Aunt Joan took us all to Disney World for spring break.
• Answer 3: Aunt Joan took us all to Disney World for spring break.

Tip: Answer 3 is really too simple and not true to the intentions of the original, which is to set up some sort of comparison. However, it is correct.