English 103 - Composition and Critical Thinking » Fall 2020 » Sentences Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

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Question #1
Each of the following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original without introducing another comma splice or fused sentence. If the original passage is correct, select No change. What’s the difference between psychology and psychiatry? The former studies mental processes and behavior, the latter is a branch of medicine specializing in mental illness.
A.   What’s the difference between psychology and psychiatry? The former studies mental processes and behavior; the latter is a branch of medicine specializing in mental illness.
B.   What’s the difference between psychology and psychiatry? The former studies mental processes and behavior the latter is a branch of medicine specializing in mental illness.
C.   No change
Question #2
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. In clinical psychology, the therapist tries to treat mental disturbances without prescribing drugs therefore this branch of psychology often carries the label talk therapy.
A.   No change
B.   In clinical psychology, the therapist tries to treat mental disturbances without prescribing drugs; therefore, this branch of psychology often carries the label talk therapy.
C.   In clinical psychology, the therapist tries to treat mental disturbances without prescribing drugs, this branch of psychology often carries the label talk therapy.
Question #3
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. Social psychologists observe people during experiments or in day-to-day life, the goal is to learn how people interact. Sometimes the observers do not make themselves known to the participants.
A.   Social psychologists observe people during experiments or in day-to-day life. The goal is to learn how people interact, sometimes the observers do not make themselves known to the participants.
B.   No change
C.   Social psychologists observe people during experiments or in day-to-day life. The goal is to learn how people interact. Sometimes the observers do not make themselves known to the participants.
Question #4
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. The field of developmental psychology deals with changes in mental and behavioral performance over time, the field began with a focus on child psychology, it has grown to track changes throughout a lifetime.
A.   The field of developmental psychology deals with changes in mental and behavioral performance over time. Although the field began with a focus on child psychology, it has grown to track changes throughout a lifetime.
B.   No change
C.   The field of developmental psychology deals with changes in mental and behavioral performance over time. The field began with a focus on child psychology, it has grown to track changes throughout a lifetime.
Question #5
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. Cognitive psychology is yet another branch of psychology. Researchers in cognitive psychology look at how people learn, how people solve problems, and how brains store information.
A.   Cognitive psychology is yet another branch of psychology, researchers in cognitive psychology look at how people learn; how people solve problems; and how brains store information.
B.   No change
C.   Cognitive psychology is yet another branch of psychology researchers in cognitive psychology look at how people learn, how people solve problems, and how brains store information.
Question #6
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. Modern psychology began with the work of Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920), who set up a laboratory in Germany for the study of the mind, about the same time, William James (1842-1910), a Harvard professor, published Principles of Psychology. Both men taught many students, who continued their work.
A.   Modern psychology began with the work of Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920), who set up a laboratory in Germany for the study of the mind, and of William James (1842-1910), a Harvard professor, who published Principles of Psychology, both men taught many students, who continued their work.
B.   Modern psychology began with the work of Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920), who set up a laboratory in Germany for the study of the mind, and of William James (1842-1910), a Harvard professor, who published Principles of Psychology. Both men taught many students, who continued their work.
C.   No change
Question #7
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. Another early contributor to psychology was Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909), who developed a system for studying memory, as part of his approach, he asked subjects to memorize nonsense syllables, which had no meaning for them.
A.   Another early contributor to psychology was Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909), who developed a system for studying memory. As part of his approach, he asked subjects to memorize nonsense syllables these had no meaning for them.
B.   No change
C.   Another early contributor to psychology was Hermann Ebbinghaus (1850-1909), who developed a system for studying memory; as part of his approach, he asked subjects to memorize nonsense syllables, which had no meaning for them.
Question #8
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. Lightner Witmer (1867-1956) was the father of clinical psychology and set up the first psychological clinic. Alfred Binet (1851-1911) designed the first intelligence test.
A.   No change
B.   Lightner Witmer (1867-1956) was the father of clinical psychology; he had set up the first psychological clinic, Alfred Binet (1851-1911) designed the first intelligence test.
C.   Lightner Witmer (1867-1956) was the father of clinical psychology, he had set up the first psychological clinic. Alfred Binet (1851-1911) designed the first intelligence test.
Question #9
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. Another early contributor to psychology was Max Wertheimer (1880-1943) he helped develop gestalt psychology. This branch of psychology dealt with human perception.
A.   Another early contributor to psychology was Max Wertheimer (1880-1943), who helped develop gestalt psychology, this branch of psychology dealt with human perception.
B.   No change
C.   Another early contributor to psychology was Max Wertheimer (1880-1943), who helped develop gestalt psychology. This branch of psychology dealt with human perception.
Question #10
The following passages may contain a comma splice or a fused sentence. Select the answer that eliminates the problem in the original. The major figure in early psychology was Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), who had been practicing neurology, he observed that some patients who had symptoms of ailments but no physical problems seemed to get better simply by talking. This observation led to Freud’s interest in the unconscious mind.
A.   No change
B.   The major figure in early psychology was Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), who had been practicing neurology. He observed that some patients who had symptoms of ailments but no physical problems seemed to get better simply by talking, and this observation led to Freud’s interest in the unconscious mind.
C.   The major figure in early psychology was Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), who had been practicing neurology. He observed that some patients who had symptoms of ailments but no physical problems seemed to get better simply by talking this observation led to Freud’s interest in the unconscious mind.

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