Follow the steps in each example to determine whether the italicized section is a fragment or not.

1. The United States is one of a decreasing number of prominent nations to use capital punishment. Otherwise known as the death penalty.

   Step 1. The italicized material does not contain a subject.
   Step 2. The italicized material does not contain a complete verb.
   Step 3. Supply a missing subject and verb: Capital punishment is also known as the death penalty. The material can also be left as it is but joined to the previous sentence with a comma: The United States is one of a decreasing number of prominent nations to use capital punishment, otherwise known as the death penalty.

2. In extradition cases, the United States currently faces a problem. A serious problem.

   Step 1. The italicized material contains a noun phrase that could function as a subject or an object.
   Step 2. The italicized material does not contain a verb.
   Step 3. Supply a missing verb: The problem is a serious one. The material can also be left as it is but joined to the previous sentence with a dash: In extradition cases, the United States currently faces a problem—a serious problem.

3. Countries that have outlawed capital punishment question the U.S. policy. And sometimes refuse to extradite suspects facing the death penalty here.

   Step 1. The italicized material does not contain a subject.
   Step 2. The italicized material contains a verb.
   Step 3. Supply a missing subject: These countries also sometimes refuse to extradite subjects facing the death penalty here.

4. Countries that still use capital punishment include China, South Africa, and Cuba. And, of course, the United States.

   Step 1. The italicized material contains a noun phrase that could function as a subject or an object.
   Step 2. The italicized material does not contain a verb.
   Step 3. Supply a missing verb: And, of course the United States still uses capital punishment. The material can also be left as it is but joined to the previous sentence as part of the series at the end of that sentence: Countries that still use capital punishment include China, South Africa, Cuba, and, of course, the United States.

5. The extradition problem is extremely sensitive. So sensitive that leaders are often reluctant to discuss it.

   Step 1. The italicized material does not contain a subject.
   Step 2. The italicized material does not contain a verb.
   Step 3. Supply a missing subject and verb: The problem is so sensitive that leaders are often reluctant to discuss it. The material can also be left as it is but joined to the previous sentence with a comma or dash: The extradition problem is extremely sensitive—so sensitive that leaders are often reluctant to discuss it.