This quiz works best with JavaScript enabled.
Home
>
English Grammar
>
Grammar
>
Sentence Mechanics
>
Correcting Fused Sentences – Quiz 1
Correcting Fused Sentences Quiz 1 (13 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the ability to correct fused sentences by testing knowledge of compound sentence construction, proper use of semicolons, coordinating conjunctions, and subject-verb agreement. It covers essential skills in separating independent clauses with periods or using semicolons and conjunctions.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
No foot powder, no shoe insert, no soap can kill the odor of Bartholomew's feet, when he takes off his shoes, even the goldfish gag.
A) Feet when.
B) Feet. When.
C) Feet, thus when.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B correctly separates the two clauses with a period, creating two distinct sentences: "No foot powder, no shoe insert, no soap can kill the odor of Bartholomew's feet" and "When he takes off his shoes, even the goldfish gag." This improves clarity and adheres to proper sentence structure.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Fuses the two sentences without any punctuation or conjunction.
Option B:
Correctly separates the sentences with a period, improving readability and grammar.
Option C:
Adds an unnecessary comma and "thus," which is incorrect for separating independent clauses in this context.
Option D:
Indicates no correct option, but B is actually correct.
2.
Susan ducked down when she saw Mr. Hyman, her English teacher, walk into Tito's Taco Palace, unfortunately, a burrito wasn't big enough to hide behind, so poor Susan had to explain why she had missed his class again.
A) Palace unfortunately.
B) Palace; Unfortunately.
C) Palace. Unfortunately.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because it properly separates the two independent clauses with a period, creating two distinct sentences that are grammatically and logically sound. This addresses the issue of a fused sentence by ensuring each clause stands alone as a complete thought.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; "unfortunately" should be separated from "Palace" with a period to form two sentences.
Option B:
Incorrect; it incorrectly places a semicolon, which is not appropriate for separating these clauses.
Option C:
Correct; uses a period to separate the independent clauses into two complete sentences.
Option D:
Incorrect; there is a correct option among the choices provided.
3.
While flirting on the phone with a salesman, Rose forgot about the eggs cooking in the kitchen, she did not expect the stovetop fire that filled the house with smoke.
A) Kitchen she.
B) Kitchen, so she.
C) Kitchen, consequently.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B correctly uses "Kitchen, so she" to separate the two clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction ("so"), which is appropriate for correcting a fused sentence. This option maintains proper punctuation while ensuring clarity in the sentence structure.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it uses "she" without necessary punctuation.
Option B:
Correct as it uses "Kitchen, so she," to properly separate clauses.
Option C:
Incorrect as "consequently" is not a suitable conjunction for this context and lacks proper punctuation.
Option D:
Incorrect as there is a correct option among the choices provided.
4.
Ryan is highly allergic to cats, he requires at least twenty God-bless-yous every time he visits Mariko and her seven Siamese cats.
A) Cats he.
B) Cats, so he.
C) Cats, as a result, he.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B correctly uses "Cats, so he" to separate the two related clauses into a properly structured sentence. This maintains clarity and proper grammar by using a coordinating conjunction ("so") to connect the independent clauses about Ryan's allergy and his required actions.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrectly uses "he" without a conjunction, creating a fused sentence.
Option B:
Correctly uses "Cats, so he" to separate clauses properly.
Option C:
Uses "as a result, he," which is redundant and less concise than Option B.
Option D:
Incorrect as Option B is the correct choice.
5.
My cat Buster is always tipping over the garbage can then he searches through the trash for milk jug caps, which he bats around the floor.
A) Can, then.
B) Can, but then.
C) Can, and then.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C) "Can, and then" is correct because it properly connects the two clauses in a fused sentence by using "and then," which indicates a sequence of events. The original sentence has two related actions: tipping over the garbage can and searching through trash for milk jug caps.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it uses only "Can, then" without connecting both clauses.
Option B:
Incorrect as it uses "Can, but then," which implies a contrast that is not present in the original sentence.
Option C:
Correct as it uses "Can, and then," properly linking the two actions.
Option D:
Incorrect as option C is valid.
6.
As Irene scooped stuffing out of the Thanksgiving turkey, she saw gold glinting from the breadcrumbs, finally she had found her earring, which she had lost early that morning.
A) Breadcrumbs finally.
B) Breadcrumbs, finally at last.
C) Breadcrumbs; finally.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because it properly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, and the word "finally" is placed appropriately after the semicolon to indicate the conclusion of the action with the discovery of the earring.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; no punctuation between clauses.
Option B:
Incorrect; redundant use of "finally" makes it awkward and unnecessary.
Option C:
Correct; uses a semicolon to separate independent clauses with proper placement of "finally."
Option D:
Incorrect; there is a correct option among the choices provided.
7.
Fighting the urge to crawl under her desk, Adriana looked at the clock, there was still a half hour left of class, more than enough time to do her ten-minute speech.
A) Clock there.
B) Clock; there.
C) Clock, so there.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Fighting the urge to crawl under her desk, Adriana looked at the clock, there was still a half hour left of class, more than enough time to do her ten-minute speech." is a fused sentence. It combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions.
Option B, "Clock; there," uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses, which is correct for this type of fused sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it does not use any punctuation to separate the clauses.
Option B:
Correct; uses a semicolon to properly separate two independent clauses.
Option C:
Incorrect as "Clock, so there" is not grammatically correct and does not fix the fused sentence issue.
Option D:
Incorrect as none of the options provided are correct in fixing the fused sentence.
8.
Tracy always knows the right answer in English class but is too shy to volunteer whenever Miss Simmons asks a question, Tracy's hand feels as if it weights 1000 pounds.
A) Volunteer, whenever.
B) Volunteer, therefore whenever.
C) Volunteer; whenever.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because it properly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, each expressing a complete thought: Tracy's shyness and her habit of always knowing the right answer in English class. This structure improves clarity and flow compared to other options.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; no punctuation between clauses.
Option B:
Incorrect; uses "therefore" which is unnecessary here.
Option C:
Correct; uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses effectively.
Option D:
Incorrect; all other options are valid.
9.
Mike has terrible eating habits when he opened his lunch bag, we saw a bag of potato chips, two candy bars, a cupcake, and chocolate milk.
A) Habits, when.
B) Habits, but when.
C) Habits; when.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Mike has terrible eating habits when he opened his lunch bag, we saw a bag of potato chips, two candy bars, a cupcake, and chocolate milk." is a fused sentence because it combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation. The correct answer is C) Habits; when., which uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses. This improves the structure by clearly separating the statement about Mike's habits from the description of his lunch contents.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it only uses a comma, which is insufficient for joining two independent clauses.
Option B:
Incorrect as "but when" is redundant and does not properly separate the clauses.
Option C:
Correct use of a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses.
Option D:
Incorrect as option C is correct.
10.
Mrs. Britton was grading papers at her desk, her students were slaving over their in-class essays and online assignments.
A) Desk her.
B) Desk while her.
C) Desk, moreover, her.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B "Desk while her" is correct because it properly connects the two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, creating a compound sentence that avoids a fused sentence structure. The phrase "while her" indicates that Mrs. Britton was grading papers at her desk simultaneously with her students working on their essays and assignments.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it does not connect the two clauses properly.
Option B:
Correct as it uses "while" to link the actions happening concurrently.
Option C:
Incorrect as it adds unnecessary words that disrupt sentence structure.
Option D:
Incorrect as option B is correct.
11.
Sandra spent every dime on her vacation to the Bahamas, where she went shopping, dancing, swimming, and sightseeing, she doesn't care that her rent will be late. or that she will have to eat macaroni and cheese for a week.
A) Sightseeing she.
B) Sightseeing, nevertheless, she.
C) Sightseeing; she.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because it properly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses and introduces the second clause with "she" for clarity, maintaining proper subject-verb agreement and sentence structure.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; no punctuation between clauses.
Option B:
Incorrect; uses "nevertheless," which is not necessary here.
Option C:
Correct; uses a semicolon and "she" for clarity.
Option D:
Incorrect; option C is valid.
12.
Fred blew and blew on the globs of liquid white-out, but they refused to dry when the professor called time, Fred closed the cover of his exam book and hoped the pages wouldn't stick together.
A) Dry, when.
B) Dry; when.
C) Dry, as a result, when.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence is a fused sentence, which means it combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation. The correct answer is
B) Dry; when.
This option uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses and adds a coordinating conjunction "when" for better flow.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Uses only a comma, which is incorrect for separating independent clauses in this context.
Option B:
Correctly uses a semicolon and the word "when," improving sentence structure.
Option C:
Adds unnecessary words "as a result" making it overly complex.
Option D:
Indicates no correction is needed, which is incorrect given the fused sentence issue.
13.
After the thunderstorm, Teresa splashed through the puddles left on the street, she enjoyed feeling the cool rainwater on her hot feet.
A) Street she.
B) Street, because she.
C) Street, for she.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because it properly uses a comma and the conjunction "for" to connect two independent clauses, which is necessary for correcting a fused sentence. The original statement combines two complete thoughts without proper punctuation, making it a fused sentence. Option C separates these ideas with a comma and "for," improving clarity.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it does not correct the fused sentence structure.
Option B:
Incorrect as it uses "because" which is not needed here to connect two independent clauses.
Option C:
Correct as it properly connects two independent clauses with a comma and "for."
Option D:
Incorrect as option C is the correct choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fused sentences?
Fused sentences occur when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunction, making the sentence run-on and unclear. They lack appropriate separation to indicate a pause or connection between ideas.
How can I correct fused sentences?
Fused sentences can be corrected by adding appropriate punctuation such as semicolons, commas with coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, etc.), or by splitting the sentence into two separate sentences. The goal is to ensure clarity and proper structure.
When should I use a semicolon?
Semicolons are used to join two independent clauses that are closely related in thought, but could stand as sentences on their own. They can also be used to separate items in a list where the elements already contain commas.
Can semicolons replace conjunctions?
Semicolons are not typically used as replacements for conjunctions like "and" or "but." Instead, they serve to separate closely related independent clauses that could be sentences on their own. Conjunctions are preferred when the connection between ideas is more direct and immediate.
What is the main goal of correcting fused sentences?
The primary goal of correcting fused sentences is to improve clarity and readability by ensuring that each independent clause in a sentence is properly separated. This helps maintain logical flow and makes the writing easier to understand.