What if my answers are correct?
If you find that all your answers match these, then your ability to identify and fix fragments is satisfactory.  Congratulations!

What if my answers are incorrect?
If you find that not all your answers match these, then try to figure out which sentence structures or patterns are confusing you and leading you astray.  If you can figure out what you are "not" seeing (for example, prehaps you are having difficulty determing if a set of words has both a subject and a verb), you are halfway to knowing what to look for.  You might want to work with a tutor in the Writing Lab to learn some alternative tricks for identifying and fixing run-ons (comma splices and fused sentences).

Answers to Exercise on Recognizing Run-On Sentences, p. 278

1. RS
2. S
3. RS
4. RS
5. S
6. RS
7. RS
8. RS
9. S
10. RS

1. Fifty years ago parents were apt to have a lot of kids.  Nowadays kids are apt to have a lot of parents.

or
Fifty years ago parents were apt to have a lot of kids; nowadays kids are apt to have a lot of parents.
2. A low blood-sugar level signals hunger.  A higher one tells the brain that you don’t need to eat.

or
A low blood-sugar level signals hunger; a higher one tells the brain that you don’t need to eat.
3. A lobotomy is a fairly simple operation.  However amateurs should not attempt it.

or
A lobotomy is a fairly simple operation; however amateurs should not attempt it.
4. Mrs. Barbee never missed a day of school.  I think even the flu and the common cold were afraid of that lady.

or
Mrs. Barbee never missed a day of school; I think even the flu and the common cold were afraid of that lady.
5. Black magic is intended to harm or destroy.  White magic is intended to benefit the community or an individual.

or
Black magic is intended to harm or destroy; white magic is intended to benefit the community or an individual.
6. A jump rope is the ultimate aerobic exercise.  It provides a top-notch daily workout for those without orthopedic or cardiovascular problems.

or
A jump rope is the ultimate aerobic exercise; it provides a top-notch daily workout for those without orthopedic or cardiovascular problems.
7. Open the can of soup carefully and be sure not to cut your fingers.  Empty the contents of the can into the pot.

or
Open the can of soup carefully and be sure not to cut your fingers; empty the contents of the can into the pot.
8. It’s not enough to hear opportunity knock.  You must let him in, greet him, make friends, and work together with him.

or
It’s not enough to hear opportunity knock; you must let him in, greet him, make friends, and work together with him.

Answers to Exercise on Correcting Run-ons, p. 281-83
Answers may vary somewhat.

1. (a)  Most smoke detectors have a test button, but this button may test only the sounding device and not the working components.

(b)  Although most smoke detectors have a test button, this button may test only the sounding device and not the working components.
2. (a)  Sunlight flooded the room, and the pianos, all black, gleamed.

(b)  Sunlight flooded the room; the pianos, all black, gleamed.
3. (a)  We walked back to the big house, which had been built by my great-grandfather almost a century ago.

(b)  We walked back to the big house built by my great-grandfather almost a century ago.
4. (a)  I gave your paycheck to Butch, who told me you had sent him.

(b)  I gave your paycheck to Butch because he told me you had sent him.
5. (coordination) Don’t carry your house keys in your wallet, for a pickpocket then has easy access to your house.

(adverb clause) Don’t carry your house keys in your wallet because a pickpocket then has easy access to your house.
(semicolon) Don’t carry your house keys in your wallet; a pickpocket then has easy access to your house.
6. (semicolon) The gardens are dry; the road to the shore is dusty.

(adverb clause) When the gardens are dry, the road to the shore is dusty.
(coordination) The gardens are dry, and the road to the shore is dusty.
(semicolon and transition) The gardens are dry; likewise, the road to the shore is dusty.
7. (period) Nobody knows for certain how many games Bull Cyclone won.  The best detective efforts put his record at 97-62-3.

(coordination) Nobody knows for certain how many games Bull Cyclone won, but the best detective efforts put his record at 97-62-3.
(semicolon and transition) Nobody knows for certain how many games Bull Cyclone won; however, the best detective efforts put his record at 97-62-3.
(adverb clause) Though nobody knows for certain how many games Bull Cyclone won, the best detective efforts put his record at 97-62-3.
8. (semicolon) For most of the passengers, the trip ended on a note of gloom; for me, it ended on a note of triumph.

(semicolon and transition) For most of the passengers, the trip ended on a note of gloom; however, for me, it ended on a note of triumph.
(adverb clause) For most of the passengers, the trip ended on a note of gloom though for me, it ended on a note of triumph.
(adjective clause) For me, the trip, which for most of the passengers ended on a note of gloom, ended on a note of triumph.
(participle phrase) Ending on a note of gloom for most of the passengers, the trip ended on a note of triumph for me.