Read the paragraph from a student's cause and effect essay on how age affects weight gain. Identify each sentence according to whether it is a run-on, contains a comma splice, or is correct.

Question

Paragraph Sentences
Run-on
Comma Splice
Correct
1. It is a common complaint of older people that they can't eat like they did when they were in their 20s what are the scientific reasons for this?

2. One theory is that our muscles are to blame, our muscles shrink and, therefore, require fewer calories.

3. In addition, according to UCLA researcher Jonathan Wanagat, muscle cells that are left in your old age are worn out, this causes them to burn calories less efficiently.

4. These unburned calories will end up as fat this fat can be burned off by exercise or a change in diet.

5. This scientific research shows why most people simply can't eat like they used to.

Answer 1

Here’s the identification of each sentence according to whether it is a run-on, contains a comma splice, or is correct:

1. Run-on
   (This sentence combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction.)

2. Comma Splice
   (This sentence improperly joins two independent clauses with just a comma.)

3. Comma Splice
   (This sentence improperly joins two independent clauses with just a comma.)

4. Run-on
   (This sentence combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction.)

5. Correct
   (This sentence is a well-structured, complete sentence with no punctuation errors.)