Question

repair dependent clause fragments
for the sentences below, choose the revision that corrects the dependent clause fragments by attaching them to a sentence or by eliminating or replacing the subordinating word.
the earliest writing appeared in mesopotamia. after people there began living in cities.
multiple choice

• the earliest writing appeared in mesopotamia people there began living in cities.
• the earliest writing appeared in mesopotamia after people there began living in cities.
• the earliest writing appeared in mesopotamia. when people there began living in cities.
• the earliest writing appeared in mesopotamia, after people there began living in cities.

Explanation:

The original text has a dependent clause fragment ("After people there began living in cities") that needs to be attached to the independent clause correctly. Option 1 creates a run-on sentence. Option 3 keeps the fragment by using "When" incorrectly. Option 4 uses a comma splice. Option 2 correctly combines the independent clause and the dependent clause without punctuation errors, fixing the fragment.

Answer:

B. The earliest writing appeared in Mesopotamia after people there began living in cities.