FRAGMENTS

Exercise 1: Turn the following sentence fragments into complete sentences. Answers are
flexible.
1. Tony's toys, which were hidden in the cupboard so that nobody could get to them.
- Tony’ toys were hidden in the cupboard so that nobody could get to them.
2. When I was given the opportunity to speak in front of the graduating class as if I were
some celebrity or movie star.
- When I was given the opportunity to speak in front of the graduating class, I felt like
some celebrity or movie star.
3. Dumping him on the first date because he smelled so bad even though she knew he had
just returned from a wrestling match.
- She dumped him on the first date because he smelled so bad even though she knew
he had just returned from a wrestling match.
4. It is very convenient that the grocery store I live next to. And the surrounding malls and
restaurants are open late at night.
- It is very convenient that I live next to the grocery store and that the surrounding
malls and restaurants are open late at night.
5. In the middle of the night, when most people are sleeping while I sneak to the kitchen to
eat.
- In the middle of the night, while most people are sleeping, I sneak to the kitchen to
eat.
6. Like the moment you realize your cereal is soggy because you left it in the milk too long.
- Your cereal is soggy because you left it in the milk too long.
7. The butler who served the Wright family for several years and later became a successful
businessman.
- The butler who served the Wright family for several years later became a successful
businessman.
8. The tennis champion waving his racquet up towards a roaring crowd with his right hand
and lifting the trophy with his left.
- The tennis champion waved his racquet up towards a roaring crowd with his right
hand and lifted the trophy with his left.
9. Even though Aaron fully believed that his actions, now the cause of much public
controversy, were morally and ethically right, but the prosecutors would hear none of it.
- Even though Aaron fully believed that his actions, now the cause of much public
controversy, were morally and ethically right, the prosecutors would hear none of it.
10. The negative thoughts that were constantly on Floyd's mind as he got into the ring.
- The negative thoughts were constantly on Floyd's mind as he got into the ring.
11. Disgusted by the lack of cleanliness in the men's bathroom yet curious about the
sanitation in the ladies' room.
- Disgusted by the lack of cleanliness in the men's bathroom, they are yet curious
about the sanitation in the ladies' room.
What do you mean by “they are yet curious”? Suggestion: …they are curious…
12. I wore the pants you bought me. And the purple tie that the saleswoman picked out.
- I wore the pants you bought me and the purple tie the saleswoman picked out.
13. As they walk down the street, check out the stores, and talk about life.
- As they walk down the street, they check out the stores and talk about life.
14. Although pandas are one of the most likable mammals but are one of the most rare.
- Although pandas are one of the most likable mammals, they are one of the most
rare.
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Exercise 2:
 Dining with the Kids
For centuries, eating in a restaurant [1] being considered a social event. Business
meetings, family gatherings, special events, and many other occasions [2] celebrating in
restaurants. This is not necessarily because serving a large crowd at home is a lot of work,
but more because the food and drinks are served by [3] others, allowing everyone in the
group to relax and socialize without worrying about empty plates or glasses.
1. A) NO CHANGE B) was being C) has been D) that is 2. A) NO CHANGE B) are
celebrating C) are celebrated D) celebrated 3. A) NO CHANGE B) others. Allowing
C) others; allowing D) DELETE the underlined portion. Some restaurants [4] that
cater specifically to families and children, though they are the exception rather than the
rule. Unfortunately, eating a meal in a restaurant with three children under the age of ten is
anything but [5] relaxing. Especially for the waiters and waitresses who serve them. The
Continental Diner in my town, which has a special section just for [6] children so that they
are isolated from the customers who want a nice and quiet conversation over dinner.
4. A) NO CHANGE B) catering C) are catering D) cater 5. A) NO CHANGE B)
relaxing, especially
C) relaxing; D) relaxing, and especially
6. A) NO CHANGE B) children to keep them C) children, keeps them D) children, keeping
them During one particular night on a [7] weekday. We took our three kids to their
classmate Kate's birthday party. [8] Held at a pizza place that combined bowling with the
dining experience. While the kids had fun [9] bowling and the parents could chat with each
other without too much interruption. Of course, most of the parents [10] being concerned
with their children's behavior and kept a watchful eye on them. [11] Tommy and Lilly were,
the siblings of the birthday girl, entertained themselves by rolling multiple bowling balls
down the lane at the same time.
7. A) NO CHANGE B) weekday, we took 8. C) weekday, when we took D)
weekday, having taken 9. A) NO CHANGE B) It was held
C) Being held D) Having been held
10. A) NO CHANGE B) bowling, the parents C) bowling. The parents D) bowling, and the
parents 11. A) NO CHANGE B) concerned C) were concerning D) were concerned
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To ensure that the kids were busy and [12] engaged. The restaurant had many
activities besides bowling. [13] One, air hockey, which involves two players with pushers
and one puck. Another was arcade basketball, my favorite game. As the clock ticks down,
players [14] shooting basketballs as fast as they can into the basket. When the night was
over, my three [15] kids, who finding it difficult to leave the party behind.
12. A) NO CHANGE B) Tommy and Lilly C) While Tommy and Lilly were D)
As Tommy and Lilly
13. A) NO CHANGE B) engaged since the restaurant C) engaged at the restaurant, D)
engaged, the restaurant 14. A) NO CHANGE B) One was C) One being D) One of these, 15.
A) NO CHANGE B) who are shooting C) who shoot D) shoot 16. A) NO CHANGE B) kids,
finding C) kids found D) kids, who found
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TRANSITIONS
Exercise 1: Choose the best transition.
1. Although women in cities from New York to Boston demanded equality in academic
opportunities, most East Coast universities did not yield to such demands. In fact,
coeducational balance did not become a prominent issue for East Coast admissions
officers until the 1960s.
A) NO CHANGE B) In addition,
C) For example, D) Be that as it may,
2. As it turned out, Senator Aldrich did not plan his Jekyll Island trip for relaxation
purposes. Therefore, he confidentially planned the weeklong affair to confer with Wall
Street executives for a specific purpose–to draft a banking reform bill that would create
a centralized American banking system.
A) NO CHANGE B) Nevertheless, C) Instead, D) Afterwards,
3. Some conservatives claim that America was founded as a Christian nation by devout
men who sought to establish a system of law and governance based on the Bible. More
secular voices, in summary, have argued that the "Christian nation" concept is a
misnomer.
A) NO CHANGE B) likewise,
C) for instance, D) on the other hand,
4. The general knew that the price of victory was enormous. Moreover, there would be
over a hundred battles and thousands of deaths by the time the war was over. A) NO
CHANGE B) Yet, C) Eventually, D) Indeed,
5. Emily Dickinson is known for her reclusiveness, her isolation from the world outside
her home. Thus, she did have numerous family members to interact with and keep her
company when she needed it.
A) NO CHANGE B) Meanwhile, C) Fortunately, D) As a result,
6. Even as Emily Dickinson was never recognized as the poet she was during her own
lifetime, she is now known as one of the greatest poets ever.
A) NO CHANGE B) Before C) Unless D) Although 6
7. Dogs use their excellent sense of smell to detect friends and foe around them.
Nevertheless, bats rely on their incredible ears to navigate the world using echolocation.
A) NO CHANGE B) In the same way, C) On the one hand, D) Otherwise,
8. Jonas became fascinated by the variety of seafood in Japan. Nonetheless, the people
there ate everything from raw fish over rice, known as sushi, to dried squid and octopus.
A) NO CHANGE B) Conversely, the people C) Additionally, the people D) The people
9. The cook first beats the mixture until the batter comes together in the pan. The pan is
then put into the oven and the cake is baked for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the cake is taken
out and put into a decorative box as it cools.
A) NO CHANGE B) Secondly, C) Finally, D) In conclusion,
10. My cousin in Vietnam told me in advance that a gift would be arriving at my doorstep.
Nevertheless, it surprised me to see a package from such a faraway place reach a small
suburban town in Minnesota.
A) NO CHANGE B) In fact, C) Furthermore, D) Therefore,
11. Many students at the university copy their homework assignments, store test answers
in their calculators, and collude in groups. Additionally, professors now use multiple
versions of their tests, along with questions that are open response and cannot be copied.
A) NO CHANGE B) To illustrate, C) As a result, D) Just in case,
12. If nothing is done, many sea creatures will soon die off in the face of illegal hunting
and the destruction of their natural habitats. Similarly, the leatherback turtle is
predicted to be extinct within 20 years.
A) NO CHANGE B) In other words, C) In contrast, D) In particular,
13. When I visited New York City for the first time, seeing all those densely packed
streets didn't intimidate me. Regardless, they just reminded me of my childhood in Hong
Kong, where I would walk from shop to shop selling newspapers.
A) NO CHANGE B) They C) Similarly, they D) Finally, they
14. Even though they all serve sushi, there are many types of sushi restaurants in Japan.
Accordingly, kaiten sushi restaurants use a conveyor belt from which customers can pick
out what they want to eat.
A) NO CHANGE B) Thus, C) Otherwise, D) For example, 7
15. The United States upholds free speech and the right to bear arms. In addition, the
Singapore government bans the chewing of gum and fines its citizens if they forget to
flush a public toilet.
A) NO CHANGE B) In contrast, C) Otherwise, D) Similarly, Exercise 2:
1. As most people associate fortune cookies with Chinese cuisine, they were developed
entirely in America and are not at all a Chinese invention.
A) NO CHANGE B) Because C) So that D) Even though
2. Global warming has led to the melting of the polar ice caps, harming ecosystems and
disrupting natural habitats that have existed for centuries. Even so, there has been a
scramble to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and slow the rate of environmental change.
A) NO CHANGE B) For this reason, C) Meanwhile, D) Be that as it may,
3. A vital part of any school curriculum, physical education gives students a much needed
break in the middle of the day. Consequently, the classes promote healthy eating and
exercise, something most Americans don't get enough of.
A) NO CHANGE B) However, C) Likewise, D) Moreover,
4. One of the most densely populated areas in the world, Hong Kong is a city bustling
with tourists and foreign businessmen, not to mention the 7 million people who live
there.
A) NO CHANGE B) furthermore
C) don't forget about D) also plus
5. The President must maintain his position on this issue provided that the public does
not think he is indecisive and easily swayed.
A) NO CHANGE B) so that
C) in spite of the fact that D) because
6. Where the government breaks up the monopoly of the cable companies to allow for
more competition, service outages and high monthly charges will continue to be the
norm.
A) NO CHANGE B) If C) Unless D) As soon as 8
7. Sam likes to keep his finances in check with spreadsheets that track where he spends
his money, alternatively, Juno impulsively spends money on things she doesn't need. A)
NO CHANGE B) rather than C) so D) whereas
8. The Mongols are better equipped, have more men, and know exactly how to dismantle
our defenses. Anyway, fighting them is a hopeless endeavor.
A) NO CHANGE B) In short, C) Nevertheless, D) Specifically,
9. Guavas originated from Mexico or Central America and were distributed throughout
tropical America and the Caribbean region. They are now cultivated in many different
places around the world, including Africa and the Mediterranean coast. A) NO CHANGE
B) Later, they
C) For instance, they D) In summary, they
10. All over the world remain fantastic objects, vestiges of people or forces which the
theories of archaeology, history, and religion cannot explain. They have found electric
batteries many thousands of years old and strange entities in spacesuits with platinum
fasteners.
A) NO CHANGE B) In addition, researchers C) In particular, they D) For instance,
researchers
11. The idea that life can flourish only under terrestrial conditions has been made
obsolete by space research. Despite the findings, there are forms of life at the bottom of
oceans that don't need oxygen.
A) NO CHANGE B) As a specific example, C) Even on Earth, D) As a result of the research,
12. Both rock and pop can be considered movements in society; the motivations behind
these movements, in fact, were not the same.
A) NO CHANGE B) therefore, C) however, D) furthermore,
13. Four guys were brought together by a few corporate bigwigs to create an American
version of The Beatles The Monkeys. Little did the public know they were not even
singing their own songs; they were lip-syncing the whole time. Subsequently, The
Monkeys managed to top the charts and make young girls faint.
A) NO CHANGE B) All in all,
C) Nevertheless, D) As a matter of fact, 9
14. Developed biomedical methods such as cloning are very controversial. Due to this,
93% of all Americans oppose cloning.
A) NO CHANGE B) In fact,
C) As you can see, D) In conclusion,
15. In any organ donation, blood types and other characteristics must match before
organs can be transferred. According to some people, unexpected incompatibilities may
exist, resulting in further medical problems.
A) NO CHANGE B) In summary, C) Similarly, D) Even then, 10
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