Question

which of the following is a sentence fragment? marina is a fast runner and a skilled basketball player. marina, an excellent basketball player. marina has very strong basketball skills. marina, a great basketball player, scored 26 points today.

Explanation:

A sentence fragment lacks a complete independent clause (a subject paired with a working verb that expresses a full thought).

1. "Marina is a fast runner and a skilled basketball player." has a subject (Marina) and a verb phrase ("is a fast runner...") that expresses a complete thought.
2. "Marina, an excellent basketball player." has a subject (Marina) but no working verb to express a complete action or state; it only has an appositive phrase describing her, so it is a fragment.
3. "Marina has very strong basketball skills." has a subject (Marina) and verb ("has") that forms a complete thought.
4. "Marina, a great basketball player, scored 26 points today." has a subject (Marina) and verb ("scored") that expresses a complete thought, with an appositive phrase in between.

Answer:

B. Marina, an excellent basketball player.