Fragment Practice 4 Answer Key

The fragments in the following passage are highlighted in yellow.  A corrected passage follows, but other solutions may be equally acceptable.

            In July 2001, flash floods swept through the southern portion of West Virginia.  Damaging up to 3,000 homes and causing over $20 million in damage.  Likely the most costly flood in West Virginia's history.  According to one report, the flooding left the downtown area of Kimball a "row of broken windows and caved-in store fronts caked in mud."  

            The storms caused mudslides.  Washing out bridges and streets, leaving yards caked with mud.  The storms that devastated West Virginia having followed two months of heavy rainfall. 

            The storm waters filled the streams.  Winding through the area's narrow valleys.  Ordinarily the Guyandotte River runs only six inches deep.  Not on Sunday.  It ran 20 feet deep.  Eyewitnesses reported seeing a casket floating down the street.   Others recalling recreational vehicles and mobile homes floating in front of them. 

            According to MSNBC, the July floods killed one person in West Virginia and three in Kentucky.  Though flooding after heavy rains is common in this mountain region.  A number of residents blame the timber and coal industries for the severity of recent floods and mudslides.  An assertion these industries deny.  Arguing that the flooding has not corresponded to mining locations. An assistant state forester, Ed Murriner, suggested that forest fires may have also contributed to the problem.  Since they burn away leaves and destroy vegetation on forest floors that typically absorb water.

                      Source: Adapted  from an MSNBC News Service Internet article, July 12, 2001.

Suggested Corrections

In July 2001, flash floods swept through the southern portion of West Virginia,  damaging up to 3,000 homes and causing over $20 million in damage. July's flood was likely the most costly flood in West Virginia's history.  According to one report, the flooding left the downtown area of Kimball a "row of broken windows and caved-in store fronts caked in mud." 

            The storms caused mudslides, washing out bridges and streets, leaving yards caked with mud.  The storms that devastated West Virginia followed two months of heavy rainfall. 

            The storm waters filled the streams, winding through the area's narrow valleys.  Ordinarily the Guyandotte River runs only six inches deep, but not on Sunday.  It ran 20 feet deep.  Eyewitnesses reported seeing a casket floating down the street.   Others recalled recreational vehicles and mobile homes floating in front of them.

            According to MSNBC, the July floods killed one person in West Virginia and three in Kentucky.  Though flooding after heavy rains is common in this mountain region,  a number of residents blame the timber and coal industries for the severity of recent floods and mudslides, an assertion these industries deny while arguing that the flooding has not corresponded to mining locations.  An assistant state forester, Ed Murriner, suggested that forest fires may have also contributed to the problem since they burn away leaves and destroy vegetation on forest floors that typically absorb water.

                   Source: Adapted  from an MSNBC News Service Internet article, July 12, 2001.

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