Comma usage quiz with answers

1. Which sentence is written correctly?

Surprisingly the concert was over by nine o'clock.

Surprisingly the concert was over, by nine o'clock.

Surprisingly, the concert was over, by nine o'clock.

Surprisingly, the concert was over by nine o'clock.

D is correct. A comma is required after the introductory word "Surprisingly."

Explanation

D is correct. A comma is required after the introductory word "Surprisingly."

2. Which sentence is written correctly?

After the storm ended we went outside to survey the damage.

After the storm ended we went outside, to survey the damage.

After the storm ended, we went outside to survey the damage.

After the storm ended, we went outside, to survey the damage.

The correct answer is "After the storm ended, we went outside to survey the damage." This sentence is written correctly because it includes a comma after the introductory phrase "After the storm ended" to separate it from the main clause "we went outside to survey the damage." This comma helps to clarify the sentence structure and make it easier to understand.

Explanation

The correct answer is "After the storm ended, we went outside to survey the damage." This sentence is written correctly because it includes a comma after the introductory phrase "After the storm ended" to separate it from the main clause "we went outside to survey the damage." This comma helps to clarify the sentence structure and make it easier to understand.

3. Which sentence is written correctly?

The anaconda the biggest snake in the world can weigh up to 250 kilograms.

The anaconda, the biggest snake in the world can weigh up to 250 kilograms.

The anaconda the biggest snake in the world, can weigh up to 250 kilograms.

The anaconda, the biggest snake in the world, can weigh up to 250 kilograms.

The correct answer is "The anaconda, the biggest snake in the world, can weigh up to 250 kilograms." This sentence is written correctly because it uses commas to set off the phrase "the biggest snake in the world" as additional information about the subject "the anaconda." The commas are necessary to indicate that this phrase is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Explanation

The correct answer is "The anaconda, the biggest snake in the world, can weigh up to 250 kilograms." This sentence is written correctly because it uses commas to set off the phrase "the biggest snake in the world" as additional information about the subject "the anaconda." The commas are necessary to indicate that this phrase is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

4. Which sentence is written correctly?

The lawyer gave his closing speech and the jury listened intently.

The lawyer gave his closing speech, and the jury listened intently.

The lawyer gave his closing speech and the jury listened, intently.

The lawyer gave his closing speech and, the jury listened intently.

B is correct. A comma is required before the joining word "and," called a coordinating conjunction, that joins two sentences.

Explanation

B is correct. A comma is required before the joining word "and," called a coordinating conjunction, that joins two sentences.

5. Which sentence is written correctly?

Bananas and chocolate make the best breakfast muffins.

Bananas and chocolate, make the best breakfast muffins.

Bananas, and chocolate make the best breakfast muffins.

Bananas, and chocolate, make the best breakfast muffins.

A is correct. No comma is required in this sentence, as the list of breakfast muffins is only made of two items. A comma is used in lists with more than two items.

Explanation

A is correct. No comma is required in this sentence, as the list of breakfast muffins is only made of two items. A comma is used in lists with more than two items.

6. Which sentence is written correctly?

The mouse crept out from under the bookshelf and the cat pounced on it.

The mouse crept out from under the bookshelf, and the cat pounced on it.

The mouse crept out from under the bookshelf and, the cat pounced on it.

The mouse, crept out from under the bookshelf and the cat, pounced on it.

B is correct. A comma is required before the joining word "and" that joins two independent sentences.

Explanation

B is correct. A comma is required before the joining word "and" that joins two independent sentences.

7. Which sentence correctly uses commas?

After the meeting we, went to dinner.

I bought apples, oranges and, bananas.

My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting this weekend.

She likes to read, write and, paint.

Option C correctly uses commas to set off the non-essential clause "who lives in New York," which provides additional information about "my brother" but is not necessary to the main sentence. The other options incorrectly place commas, either disrupting the natural flow or incorrectly segmenting the sentence. Proper comma usage is crucial for clarity and flow in writing.

Explanation

Option C correctly uses commas to set off the non-essential clause "who lives in New York," which provides additional information about "my brother" but is not necessary to the main sentence. The other options incorrectly place commas, either disrupting the natural flow or incorrectly segmenting the sentence. Proper comma usage is crucial for clarity and flow in writing.

8. Which sentence is written correctly?

The fire destroyed the garage. The house however was saved.

The fire destroyed the garage. The house, however was saved.

The fire destroyed the garage. The house however, was saved.

The fire destroyed the garage. The house, however, was saved.

D is correct. The word "however" is not essential to the sentence, so it is set off from the rest of the sentence by two commas.

Explanation

D is correct. The word "however" is not essential to the sentence, so it is set off from the rest of the sentence by two commas.

9. Which sentence is written correctly?

Our new car is a fast fuel-efficient vehicle.

Our new car, is a fast fuel-efficient vehicle.

Our new car is a fast, fuel-efficient vehicle.