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Comma Splices and Fused Sentences - Post Test

To see how well you have learned the elements of sentence construction, complete the POST TEST below. There is no checklist of answers for the POST TEST. Instead, you are to have your response checked by the Writing Support Program office.

If the results of your POST TEST indicate that you need more work in some area of this chapter, the Writing Support Program office will direct you to additional material. If you do well on the POST TEST, the Writing Support Program office will tell you that you have satisfactorily completed the unit.

POST TEST DIRECTIONS: Repair all comma splices and fused sentences that you see in the passage below. You may change capitalization or punctuation; you may add or delete words. Do not change the meaning of the writing when you make your changes.

You must print out a copy of this original page to complete the Post Test. Make your corrections right on the text. Then bring your completed Post Test to the Writing Support Program office for evaluation and review so that you can take the final test in the office.

Link to Printable Post Test

Post Test Passage

White-water boating is a major new sport in America, it involves using canoes or kayaks. Both canoes and kayaks have unique American histories. Canoes are sleek boats, they were developed by Native Americans of the Northeast and Great Lakes region. Originally canoes were made of wood their hulls had a deep V-shape. Later, a frame of strong wooden ribs was made, then a covering of scraped bark was laid over the frame. Although modern canoes are made of aluminum or fiberglass, the design has never really changed. A canoe's hull will carry mountains of equipment, but the boat itself is light enough to be carried by one or two people. Canoes are versatile, consequently, they can be used on lakes or in mountain rapids.

Kayaks were developed by the Eskimos of northern Canada and Greenland, kayaks are even more lightweight than canoes. The original kayaks had wood or bone frames with seal skin stretched over them. Like modern canoes, today's kayaks may be made of plastic, aluminum, or fiberglass, they are designed to hold only one or two people. The passengers sit flat on the bottom of a kayak a watertight flap seals them into the craft. Today's kayak is watertight and almost impossible to sink. If it turns upside down, the pilot can turn it back upright with a twist of the hips. This maneuver is called "the Eskimo roll" to honor its inventors. Kayak pilots carry a single oar with two blades they can use this oar to paddle rapidly or to fend off rocks and obstacles.

Both the Native Americans and Eskimos needed lightweight, maneuverable boats, these are the same qualities that make canoeing and kayaking popular today.

To reach the Writing Support Program, contact

Margaret L. Benner
Director, Writing Support Program
English Department
Towson University
benner@towson.edu

410-704-2857