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Given 1,000 dollars as a graduation gift,
Kris wavered between using the money for a new computer or going
to Germany to visit his sister, finally Fräuleins and beer won out
over graphic cards and RAM.
Given 1,000 dollars as a graduation gift is a past participle phrase. A past participle phrase will begin with a past participle like given and must be connected to a main clause. Kris wavered ... begins the necessary main clause. When a participle phrase introduces a main clause, you need a comma between the two.