Question

choose the option that is, or that includes, a run-on sentence (a comma splice or a fused sentence).
○ april told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book, but these are not very convincing excuses.
○ april told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book; these are not very convincing excuses.
○ april told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book, these are not very convincing excuses.
○ april told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book; however, these are not very convincing excuses.

Explanation:

A run - on sentence (comma splice or fused sentence) occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined. In the third option, "April told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book, these are not very convincing excuses", two independent clauses ("April...math book" and "these...excuses") are joined by just a comma, which is a comma splice (a type of run - on sentence). The first option uses "but" (a coordinating conjunction) to correctly join the clauses, the second uses a semicolon, and the fourth uses a semicolon with "however" (a conjunctive adverb) to correctly join the clauses.

Answer:

C. April told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book, these are not very convincing excuses.