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 (specifically a comma splice here) occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. Let's analyze each option:

• The first option: "April told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book, but these are not very convincing excuses." Here, the conjunction "but" is used to join the two independent clauses, so it is a correctly punctuated compound sentence.
• The second option: "April told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book; these are not very convincing excuses." A semicolon is used to join two independent clauses, which is a correct usage.
• 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." There are two independent clauses ("April told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book" and "these are not very convincing excuses") joined only by a comma. This is a comma splice, a type of run - on sentence.
• The fourth option: "April told her teacher about her dog eating her homework and aliens stealing her math book; however, these are not very convincing excuses." A semicolon is used before the conjunctive adverb "however" to join the two independent clauses, which is correct.

Answer:

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