Comma Rules Quiz - Lemon

1. A comma represents a "pause" while reading.

True

False

A comma is used to indicate a pause in a sentence while reading. This pause allows the reader to separate different parts of a sentence or to add emphasis to certain words or phrases. By using commas, the reader can better understand the intended meaning and flow of the text.

Explanation

A comma is used to indicate a pause in a sentence while reading. This pause allows the reader to separate different parts of a sentence or to add emphasis to certain words or phrases. By using commas, the reader can better understand the intended meaning and flow of the text.

2. A _____ clause cannot stand alone because it is not a complete thought.

A dependent clause cannot stand alone because it is not a complete thought. A dependent clause relies on an independent clause to form a complete sentence. It does not express a complete idea and usually functions as a subordinate part of a sentence. In contrast, an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought and does not rely on any other clause.

Explanation

A dependent clause cannot stand alone because it is not a complete thought. A dependent clause relies on an independent clause to form a complete sentence. It does not express a complete idea and usually functions as a subordinate part of a sentence. In contrast, an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought and does not rely on any other clause.

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3. _____ is the word used to help remember all the different conjunctions.

The word "FANBOYS" is used to help remember all the different conjunctions. The repetition of "fanboys" emphasizes the acronym, making it easier to remember the conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Explanation

The word "FANBOYS" is used to help remember all the different conjunctions. The repetition of "fanboys" emphasizes the acronym, making it easier to remember the conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

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4. Which of the following sentences uses correct comma placement?

Carlos drove to the market, to purchase tomatoes, lettuce milk and bread.

Carlos drove to the market to purchase tomatoes, lettuce, milk, and bread.

Carlos drove to the market to purchase tomatoes lettuce, milk, and bread.

Carlos drove to the market to purchase tomatoes, lettuce, bread, and, milk.

The correct answer is "Carlos drove to the market to purchase tomatoes, lettuce, milk, and bread." This sentence uses correct comma placement by separating each item in the list with a comma and placing the final comma before the conjunction "and."

Explanation

The correct answer is "Carlos drove to the market to purchase tomatoes, lettuce, milk, and bread." This sentence uses correct comma placement by separating each item in the list with a comma and placing the final comma before the conjunction "and."

5. Where is the comma needed in the following example?If it rains tomorrow my dreams of exploring the new zoo will be shattered.

After zoo

Before zoo

After tomorrow

Before tomorrow

In the given sentence, the comma is needed after "tomorrow". This is because the sentence is a conditional statement, where the first part "If it rains tomorrow" is the condition and the second part "my dreams of exploring the new zoo will be shattered" is the result. In such sentences, a comma is used to separate the condition from the result. Therefore, the correct placement of the comma is after "tomorrow".

Explanation

In the given sentence, the comma is needed after "tomorrow". This is because the sentence is a conditional statement, where the first part "If it rains tomorrow" is the condition and the second part "my dreams of exploring the new zoo will be shattered" is the result. In such sentences, a comma is used to separate the condition from the result. Therefore, the correct placement of the comma is after "tomorrow".

6. Which comma rule is displayed in the following example?Even if you happen to pass the exam, you will still have to study hard to pass the class.

Use a comma when listing 3 or more items

Use a comma to enclose extra information about a subject

Use a comma to separate a dependent and independent clause

Use a comma after directly addressing someone

The correct answer is "Use a comma to separate a dependent and independent clause." This is because the sentence contains two clauses: "Even if you happen to pass the exam" and "you will still have to study hard to pass the class." The comma is used to separate these two clauses, as they could stand alone as separate sentences.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Use a comma to separate a dependent and independent clause." This is because the sentence contains two clauses: "Even if you happen to pass the exam" and "you will still have to study hard to pass the class." The comma is used to separate these two clauses, as they could stand alone as separate sentences.

7. Which of the following uses correct comma placement for a city and state or a city and country?

We traveled 14 hours to Little, Rock Arkansas.

We traveled 14 hours to Little Rock, Arkansas.

We traveled 14 hours, to Little Rock Arkansas.

We traveled 14 hours to, Little Rock, Arkansas.

The correct answer is "We traveled 14 hours to Little Rock, Arkansas." This is the correct comma placement for a city and state. The comma is placed after the city name and before the state name to separate the two elements of the location.

Explanation

The correct answer is "We traveled 14 hours to Little Rock, Arkansas." This is the correct comma placement for a city and state. The comma is placed after the city name and before the state name to separate the two elements of the location.

8. Which comma rule applies to the following example?Daniel, my older brother, joined the military right after high school.

Use commas after an introductory clause

Use commas to enclose extra information about a subject

Use commas to list items

Use commas with coordinating adjectives

The given example "Daniel, my older brother, joined the military right after high school" includes extra information about the subject, which is "my older brother". This extra information is enclosed by commas, indicating that the comma rule being applied is to use commas to enclose extra information about a subject.

Explanation

The given example "Daniel, my older brother, joined the military right after high school" includes extra information about the subject, which is "my older brother". This extra information is enclosed by commas, indicating that the comma rule being applied is to use commas to enclose extra information about a subject.

9. Which example DOES NOT use commas correctly to enclose a phrase that interrupts the flow of the sentence?

Mike's health would be much improved, in fact, if he listened to the doctor.

Maria didn't, listen unfortunately, when the professor was giving exam directions.

Dr. Rodriguez, Jane thought, would be the best doctor to perform the difficult surgery.

Adele's new song, in my opinion, is one of her best creations.

The correct answer is "Maria didn't, listen unfortunately, when the professor was giving exam directions." This example does not use commas correctly to enclose the phrase "unfortunately" that interrupts the flow of the sentence. The correct placement of commas should be "Maria didn't listen, unfortunately, when the professor was giving exam directions."

Explanation

The correct answer is "Maria didn't, listen unfortunately, when the professor was giving exam directions." This example does not use commas correctly to enclose the phrase "unfortunately" that interrupts the flow of the sentence. The correct placement of commas should be "Maria didn't listen, unfortunately, when the professor was giving exam directions."

10. You must use a comma when the dependent clause is after the independent clause in a sentence.

True

False

The statement is false because a comma is not necessary when the dependent clause is after the independent clause in a sentence. In fact, when the dependent clause comes after the independent clause, a comma is usually not used. This is because the dependent clause is considered essential to the meaning of the sentence and does not require a comma to separate it from the independent clause.

Explanation

The statement is false because a comma is not necessary when the dependent clause is after the independent clause in a sentence. In fact, when the dependent clause comes after the independent clause, a comma is usually not used. This is because the dependent clause is considered essential to the meaning of the sentence and does not require a comma to separate it from the independent clause.

11. Which of the following shows correct comma placement when using quotations?

"Never again," said Mark "I don't want you in my life."

"I don't need your help," said Mark, "I can handle this situation on my own."

"I can do it" , said Mark, "I don't need you,."

"You need help" said Mark, "Please let me help you."

The correct answer is "I don't need your help," said Mark, "I can handle this situation on my own." This answer shows correct comma placement when using quotations because it correctly uses a comma to separate the dialogue tag ("said Mark") from the quoted speech. Additionally, it uses quotation marks to enclose the spoken words.

Explanation

The correct answer is "I don't need your help," said Mark, "I can handle this situation on my own." This answer shows correct comma placement when using quotations because it correctly uses a comma to separate the dialogue tag ("said Mark") from the quoted speech. Additionally, it uses quotation marks to enclose the spoken words.

12. Which of the following is an example for the comma rule that requires a comma after directly addressing someone?

Now, go shut the front door.

Seriously, Jessica, why are you always in trouble?

After driving around for hours, Blake and Justin finally stopped to ask for directions.

Martha, indeed, hated homework.

The correct answer is "Seriously, Jessica, why are you always in trouble?" This is an example of the comma rule that requires a comma after directly addressing someone. The sentence directly addresses Jessica by using her name, and a comma is placed after "Seriously" and after "Jessica" to indicate the direct address.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Seriously, Jessica, why are you always in trouble?" This is an example of the comma rule that requires a comma after directly addressing someone. The sentence directly addresses Jessica by using her name, and a comma is placed after "Seriously" and after "Jessica" to indicate the direct address.

13. Which of the following examples uses correct comma placement for coordinating adjectives?

He realized, nevertheless that Martha would not let him keep a dog.

The instructor gave a difficult unfair final examination.

His long, clean, hair hung down to his worn jacket.

A tall, dark, and handsome man walked into the room.

In the given example, "A tall, dark, and handsome man walked into the room," correct comma placement is used for coordinating adjectives. The adjectives "tall," "dark," and "handsome" are coordinating adjectives because they all independently modify the noun "man." The commas are correctly placed between each adjective to separate them.

Explanation

In the given example, "A tall, dark, and handsome man walked into the room," correct comma placement is used for coordinating adjectives. The adjectives "tall," "dark," and "handsome" are coordinating adjectives because they all independently modify the noun "man." The commas are correctly placed between each adjective to separate them.

14. Where are commas needed in the following example?As you correctly pointed out a mistake was made on the flashy expensive sign.

After mistake/after flashy

After mistake/after expensive

After out/after expensive

After out/after flashy

In the given sentence, commas are needed after "out" and after "flashy". The phrase "as you correctly pointed out" is a parenthetical expression that provides additional information. Therefore, it should be set off with commas. Similarly, the phrase "expensive sign" is a compound adjective modifying the noun "sign". To separate the two adjectives, a comma should be placed after "flashy".

Explanation

In the given sentence, commas are needed after "out" and after "flashy". The phrase "as you correctly pointed out" is a parenthetical expression that provides additional information. Therefore, it should be set off with commas. Similarly, the phrase "expensive sign" is a compound adjective modifying the noun "sign". To separate the two adjectives, a comma should be placed after "flashy".

15. Check the boxes for the sentences that show the correct comma placement for when a conjunction combines 2 independent sentences. There may be more than one correct answer.

Martin Luther King Jr. believed in equal rights for all, so he spent his life fighting for the cause.

Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, has acted in multiple movies, and loves his plethora of fans.

The Bermuda Triangle has been considered cursed, for ages.

Donkeys are Joe's favorite animal, yet he has never seen one in person.

The correct answer is Martin Luther King Jr. believed in equal rights for all, so he spent his life fighting for the cause. and Donkeys are Joe's favorite animal, yet he has never seen one in person. Both of these sentences show the correct comma placement for when a conjunction combines 2 independent sentences.

Explanation

The correct answer is Martin Luther King Jr. believed in equal rights for all, so he spent his life fighting for the cause. and Donkeys are Joe's favorite animal, yet he has never seen one in person. Both of these sentences show the correct comma placement for when a conjunction combines 2 independent sentences.

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