Rearranging Clauses Punctuation Quiz

1. The sentence 'The students cheered because they won the game' is rearranged to start with the dependent clause. Which option is correct?

Because they won the game the students cheered.

Because they won the game, the students cheered.

The students cheered, because they won the game.

The students cheered because, they won the game.

When the dependent clause (Because they won the game) is moved to the beginning of the sentence, a comma must be placed immediately after it to separate it from the independent clause (the students cheered).

Explanation

When the dependent clause (Because they won the game) is moved to the beginning of the sentence, a comma must be placed immediately after it to separate it from the independent clause (the students cheered).

2. When a sentence begins with a dependent clause, a _______ is required to separate it from the independent clause.

The rule is that if the subordinating word (like 'when,' 'if,' or 'because') starts the sentence, the clause it introduces must be followed by a comma before the main clause begins.

Explanation

The rule is that if the subordinating word (like 'when,' 'if,' or 'because') starts the sentence, the clause it introduces must be followed by a comma before the main clause begins.

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3. The sentence 'We left the park after the sun set' must have a comma before the word 'after.'

True

False

This is false. Since the independent clause ('We left the park') comes first and the dependent clause ('after the sun set') follows, no comma is typically needed to separate the two clauses.

Explanation

This is false. Since the independent clause ('We left the park') comes first and the dependent clause ('after the sun set') follows, no comma is typically needed to separate the two clauses.

4. In the sentence 'I packed a jacket because the weather was cold,' what is the dependent clause?

I packed a jacket

The weather was cold

Because the weather was cold

I packed a jacket because

The dependent clause is the part that begins with the subordinating conjunction (because) and cannot stand alone as a complete thought. 'because the weather was cold' is the subordinate idea.

Explanation

The dependent clause is the part that begins with the subordinating conjunction (because) and cannot stand alone as a complete thought. 'because the weather was cold' is the subordinate idea.

5. Which sentences are correctly punctuated when the independent clause comes first? (Select all that apply)

We went inside when the rain started.

We watched TV, after we finished our chores.

You will be late unless you hurry up.

I wore a hat because it was sunny.

When the independent clause (IC) comes first, and the dependent clause (DC) follows (IC DC structure), no comma is needed between the clauses. B is incorrect because it has an unnecessary comma.

Explanation

When the independent clause (IC) comes first, and the dependent clause (DC) follows (IC DC structure), no comma is needed between the clauses. B is incorrect because it has an unnecessary comma.

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6. The sentence 'If you want to go to the movie, you must finish your work' is rearranged to end with the dependent clause. Which option is correct?

You must finish your work, if you want to go to the movie.

You must finish your work if you want to go to the movie.

If you want to go to the movie you must finish your work.

You must, finish your work, if you want to go to the movie.

When the dependent clause ('if you want to go to the movie') is moved to the end (IC DC structure), the comma is removed, making the transition seamless and correct.

Explanation

When the dependent clause ('if you want to go to the movie') is moved to the end (IC DC structure), the comma is removed, making the transition seamless and correct.

7. If the dependent clause begins the sentence, you must use a comma after it.

True

False

This is true. The rule is absolute: a comma is always required to signal the end of an opening dependent clause and the start of the main, independent idea.

Explanation

This is true. The rule is absolute: a comma is always required to signal the end of an opening dependent clause and the start of the main, independent idea.

8. In the sentence 'The lights went out after the storm hit,' what is the subordinating conjunction?

The lights

Went out

After

The storm

The subordinating conjunction is the word that connects the two clauses and makes one clause dependent on the other; in this case, it is after, which signals a time relationship.

Explanation

The subordinating conjunction is the word that connects the two clauses and makes one clause dependent on the other; in this case, it is after, which signals a time relationship.

9. The clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence is called the _______ clause.

The dependent clause relies on the independent clause to complete its meaning and is always introduced by a subordinating word like 'when,' 'since,' or 'although.'

Explanation

The dependent clause relies on the independent clause to complete its meaning and is always introduced by a subordinating word like 'when,' 'since,' or 'although.'

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10. Original: 'We went to the beach. The weather was sunny.' Which revision correctly combines the ideas into one complex sentence?

We went to the beach, because the weather was sunny.

Because the weather was sunny, we went to the beach.

We went to the beach, although the weather was sunny.

We went to the beach; the weather was sunny.

Option B uses 'Because' to show cause and correctly adds a comma when the dependent clause starts the sentence, creating the correct DC, IC structure.

Explanation

Option B uses 'Because' to show cause and correctly adds a comma when the dependent clause starts the sentence, creating the correct DC, IC structure.

11. Rearranging a dependent clause from the beginning of a sentence to the end will change the logical meaning of the sentence.

True

False

This is false. The logical meaning remains the same; only the sentence structure and required punctuation are changed by rearranging the clauses.

Explanation

This is false. The logical meaning remains the same; only the sentence structure and required punctuation are changed by rearranging the clauses.

12. Which option correctly rearranges 'After we ate lunch, we played outside' to end with the dependent clause?

We played outside, after we ate lunch.

We played outside after we ate lunch.

We played outside after, we ate lunch.

We played outside after we ate lunch,

The original sentence has the DC first, requiring a comma. When the DC is moved to the end (IC DC), the comma is correctly removed.

Explanation

The original sentence has the DC first, requiring a comma. When the DC is moved to the end (IC DC), the comma is correctly removed.

13. Which sentences use the correct punctuation for the IC DC structure (Independent Clause first)? (Select all that apply)

The power went out since the storm was severe.

I will start my project when I get home.

We took a break, because we were tired.

You can borrow my pen if you need one.

All these options follow the IC DC structure, which correctly requires no comma between the clauses. C is incorrect due to the unnecessary comma.

Explanation

All these options follow the IC DC structure, which correctly requires no comma between the clauses. C is incorrect due to the unnecessary comma.

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14. The clause that expresses the main idea and can stand alone as a complete sentence is called the _______ clause.

The independent clause contains the core subject and verb of the sentence and is not dependent on any other clause for its meaning.

Explanation

The independent clause contains the core subject and verb of the sentence and is not dependent on any other clause for its meaning.

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15. Which sentence contains a punctuation error?

Although the clock struck three, the class kept working.

We went home early, since the performance was cancelled.

If you ask me nicely, I will share my dessert.

I called my friend when I arrived at the park.

The error is the comma in 'We went home early, since the performance was cancelled.' This is an IC DC structure, which should not have a comma.

Explanation

The error is the comma in 'We went home early, since the performance was cancelled.' This is an IC DC structure, which should not have a comma.

16. The dependent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence and still make sense.

True

False

This is false. By definition, a dependent clause relies on the independent clause because the subordinating conjunction makes it an incomplete thought.

Explanation

This is false. By definition, a dependent clause relies on the independent clause because the subordinating conjunction makes it an incomplete thought.

17. Which option correctly rearranges 'We saw the bear when we hiked' to begin with the dependent clause?

We saw the bear, when we hiked.

When we hiked we saw the bear.

When we hiked, we saw the bear.

When we saw the bear, we hiked.

The original IC DC sentence is correctly rearranged to the DC, IC structure, which requires a comma after the dependent clause ('When we hiked,').

Explanation

The original IC DC sentence is correctly rearranged to the DC, IC structure, which requires a comma after the dependent clause ('When we hiked,').

18. Which sentences must use a comma? (Select all that apply)

Until the school bus came, we played tag.

We will wait here until the school bus comes.

If you forget your lunch, you can borrow mine.

You can borrow mine if you forget your lunch.

Both A and C start with the dependent clause (Until and If). This DC-first structure (DC, IC) always requires a comma to separate the clauses.

Explanation

Both A and C start with the dependent clause (Until and If). This DC-first structure (DC, IC) always requires a comma to separate the clauses.

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19. When the dependent clause comes second, following the main idea, _______ punctuation is required between the two clauses.

The structure Independent Clause + Dependent Clause (IC DC) generally requires no internal punctuation, as the flow is natural and the meaning is clear.

Explanation

The structure Independent Clause + Dependent Clause (IC DC) generally requires no internal punctuation, as the flow is natural and the meaning is clear.

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20. Which revisions correctly rearrange the clauses and use the correct punctuation for the sentence 'She sings the song when she is happy'? (Select all that apply)

When she is happy, she sings the song.

She sings the song, when she is happy.

She sings the song when she is happy.

When she is happy she sings the song.

Option A correctly puts the DC first and adds a comma. Option C correctly leaves the DC at the end with no comma. B and D are comma errors.

Explanation

Option A correctly puts the DC first and adds a comma. Option C correctly leaves the DC at the end with no comma. B and D are comma errors.

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Punctuation Rules: Rearranging Clauses and Adjusting Punctuation Quiz