Mastering Commas: Enhance Your Writing Skills

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate a list of three items?

Accepted Answer

The store sells apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples, oranges and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples and oranges, and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples, oranges; and bananas.

Question 2

Revise the provided sentence by using commas to improve its readability: 'The hikers who were exhausted slowly made their way up the steep and winding trail.'

Accepted Answer

The hikers, who were exhausted, slowly made their way up the steep, winding trail.

Answer

The hikers who were exhausted slowly made their way up the steep and winding trail.

Answer

The hikers who were exhausted, slowly made their way up the steep and winding trail.

Answer

The hikers, who were exhausted slowly made their way up the steep and winding trail.

Question 3

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The movie was interesting, but it was too long.

Answer

The movie was interesting but it was too long.

Answer

The movie was interesting; but it was too long.

Answer

The movie was interesting: but it was too long.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

The dog, which was barking at the mailman, was very loud.

Answer

The dog; which was barking at the mailman, was very loud.

Answer

The dog: which was barking at the mailman was very loud.

Answer

The dog which was barking at the mailman was very loud.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a rule for using commas in a list?

Accepted Answer

Use a semicolon to separate items in a list if they are long or complex.

Answer

Use commas to separate each item in the list.

Answer

Do not use a comma before the first item in the list.

Answer

Use a comma before the conjunction (and, or, but) that joins the last two items.

Question 6

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate a series of adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The new car was sleek, shiny, and fast.

Answer

The new car was sleek, shiny and fast.

Answer

The new car, was sleek, shiny; and fast.

Answer

The new car: was sleek, shiny, and fast.

Question 7

Which of the following is a scenario where you would NOT use commas?

Accepted Answer

To separate a subject from its verb

Answer

To separate a series of three or more items in a list

Answer

To set off a nonessential clause

Answer

To separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction

Question 8

Which sentence correctly uses commas to introduce a quotation?

Accepted Answer

He said, 'I'm going to the store.'

Answer

He said 'I'm going to the store.'

Answer

'He said, I'm going to the store.'

Question 9

Which of the following is a type of nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

A clause that provides additional information but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence

Answer

A clause that is necessary for the meaning of the sentence

Answer

A clause that introduces a quotation

Answer

A clause that separates two independent clauses

Question 10

Which of the following is a benefit of using commas correctly?

Accepted Answer

Improves readability and clarity

Answer

Makes writing more formal

Answer

Eliminates the need for other punctuation marks

Answer

Can change the meaning of a sentence

Question 11

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate items in a list?

Accepted Answer

The students brought apples, oranges, and bananas to the picnic.

Answer

The students brought apples, oranges and bananas to the picnic.

Answer

The students brought apples,oranges and bananas to the picnic.

Answer

The students brought apples, oranges and, bananas to the picnic.

Question 12

When omitting commas can enhance a sentence's rhythm or flow, what stylistic effect is achieved?

Accepted Answer

Increased Impact

Answer

Improved Clarity

Answer

Enhanced Coherence

Question 13

Which sentence uses a comma to separate two independent clauses correctly?

Accepted Answer

The dog barked, and the cat meowed.

Answer

The dog barked and the cat meowed.

Answer

The dog barked however the cat meowed.

Answer

The dog barked it was hungry.

Question 14

Insert a comma in the correct spot of the sentence: The teacher said Emily please close the door.

Accepted Answer

The teacher said, Emily, please close the door.

Answer

The teacher said Emily, please close the door.

Answer

The teacher, said Emily please close the door.

Answer

The teacher said Emily please, close the door.

Question 15

Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential clause:

Accepted Answer

My friend, who is a doctor, helped me.

Answer

My friend who is a doctor helped me.

Answer

My friend is a doctor he helped me.

Answer

The book I bought yesterday is interesting.

Question 16

Which option is NOT a valid reason to use commas?

Accepted Answer

To indicate a pause in breathing

Answer

To separate items in a series

Answer

To separate clauses

Answer

To set off introductory elements

Question 17

In the sentence 'The students, who were excited, cheered loudly.', what is the function of the comma?

Accepted Answer

To set off a nonessential clause

Answer

To separate two independent clauses

Answer

To indicate a pause in speech

Answer

To separate a dependent clause

Question 18

What is the role of the comma in the sentence 'However, I still decided to go.'?

Accepted Answer

To introduce a contrasting clause

Answer

To separate two independent clauses

Answer

To set off a nonessential clause

Answer

To indicate a pause in speech

Question 19

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to indicate a pause or emphasis?

Accepted Answer

Wow, that was amazing!

Answer

Wow that, was amazing!

Answer

Wow that was, amazing!

Answer

Wow! That was amazing?

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of using commas in writing?

Accepted Answer

To clarify meaning and avoid confusion

Answer

To add style and complexity to sentences

Answer

To provide a visual break in the text

Answer

To make writing more interesting and engaging

Question 21

Which sentence below correctly uses commas to separate items in a list?

Accepted Answer

I like apples, bananas, and oranges.

Answer

I like apples bananas and oranges.

Answer

I like apples, bananas and, oranges.

Answer

I like apples bananas, and oranges.

Question 22

When using commas to separate adjectives in a series, which rule should be followed?

Accepted Answer

Commas should be used before all adjectives in the series except the last two.

Answer

Commas should be used after all adjectives in the series.

Answer

Commas should be used between all adjectives in the series.

Answer

Commas should be used before the last adjective only.

Question 23

When using commas to separate items in a compound predicate, what is the correct placement of the commas?

Accepted Answer

Commas are placed before and after the conjunction.

Answer

Commas are placed only after the conjunction.

Answer

Commas are placed only before the conjunction.

Answer

Commas are not used in compound predicates.

Question 24

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate coordinate adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The tall, handsome man approached me.

Answer

The tall handsome, man approached me.

Answer

The, tall handsome man approached me.

Answer

The tall handsome man, approached me.

Question 25

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate a series of prepositional phrases?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store with my mom, for milk, eggs, and bread.

Answer

I went to the store with my mom for milk eggs, and bread.

Answer

I went to the store with my mom, for milk eggs and, bread.

Answer

I went to the store with my mom for milk, eggs and bread.

Question 26

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate list items?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store and bought milk, bread, and cereal.

Answer

I went to the store to buy milk, bread, and cereal.

Question 27

Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate independent clauses.

Accepted Answer

The dog barked, and the mailman came.

Answer

The dog barked; the mailman came.

Question 28

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

My friend, who is very talented, won the award.

Answer

My friend whom is very talented won the award.

Question 29

Select the sentence that uses commas correctly to separate a direct quotation.

Accepted Answer

She said, "I'm going to the park"

Answer

She said "I'm going to the park".

Question 30

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of a comma to separate introductory elements?

Accepted Answer

However, I was not able to attend the meeting.

Answer

However I was not able to attend the meeting.

Question 31

Select the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate coordinate adjectives.

Accepted Answer

The old, rusty car was parked in the driveway.

Answer

The old rusty, car was parked in the driveway.

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a reason to use commas in writing?

Accepted Answer

To add emphasis

Answer

To prevent misreading

Question 33

Select the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off an appositive.

Accepted Answer

My sister, Sarah, is a doctor.

Answer

My sister Sarah is a doctor

Question 34

In which sentence are commas used correctly to separate items in a list?

Accepted Answer

I bought milk, eggs, cereal and bananas.

Answer

I bought milk eggs, cereal and bananas.

Answer

I bought milk eggs cereal, and bananas.

Question 35

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of commas to separate independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The dog barked; the cat meowed.

Answer

The dog barked the cat meowed.

Question 36

Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential clause.

Accepted Answer

My sister, who teaches history, gave me advice.

Answer

My sister who is a doctor, gave me advice.

Question 37

Which sentence uses commas to correctly set off a parenthetical expression?

Accepted Answer

The students, however, did not finish the assignment.

Answer

The students, however did not finish the assignment.

Question 38

Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate coordinate adjectives.

Accepted Answer

The old, rickety bridge was closed.

Answer

The old rickety, bridge was closed.

Question 39

Which sentence demonstrates the appropriate use of commas around a quotation?

Accepted Answer

I asked her, 'What time will you be here?'

Answer

I asked her what time will you be here.

Question 40

Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate dates and addresses.

Accepted Answer

I was born on March 15, 1995, at 123 Main Street.

Answer

I was born on March 15 1995 at 123 Main Street.

Question 41

Which sentence uses commas to correctly separate a direct address?

Accepted Answer

Excuse me, sir, can you help me?

Question 42

Select the sentence that uses commas correctly to separate three items in a list.

Accepted Answer

The grocery store sells apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

The grocery store sells apples, oranges and bananas.

Answer

The grocery store sells: apples, oranges; and bananas.

Question 43

Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate a compound subject.

Accepted Answer

My mother and my father are both teachers.

Answer

My mother and, my father are both teachers.

Answer

My mother and my father both are teachers.

Answer

My mother and my father, are both teachers.

Question 44

Which sentence needs a comma to separate the two parts that could stand alone as sentences?

Accepted Answer

The students studied hard, and they passed the exam.

Answer

The students, who studied hard passed the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard and they passed the exam.

Question 45

Which sentence uses commas correctly to show extra information that could be removed without changing the sentence's meaning?

Accepted Answer

My neighbor, who is a doctor, is throwing a party.

Answer

My neighbor who, is a doctor, is throwing a party.

Answer

My neighbor who is a doctor is throwing a party.

Answer

My neighbor is throwing a party, who is a doctor.

Question 46

Which option uses commas correctly to separate words in a list?

Accepted Answer

Apples, oranges, and bananas are all fruits.

Answer

Apples oranges, and bananas are all fruits.

Answer

Apples, oranges and, bananas are all fruits.

Answer

Apples, oranges and bananas, are all fruits.

Question 47

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma after a word or phrase that comes before the main part of the sentence.

Accepted Answer

However, I do not agree with your decision.

Answer

However,I do not agree with your decision.

Answer

However I do not agree with your decision.

Answer

,However, I do not agree with your decision.

Question 48

Which sentence uses commas correctly to show extra information that could be removed without changing the sentence's main idea?

Accepted Answer

The concert, which was sold out, was a huge success.

Answer

The concert that was sold out was a huge success.

Answer

The concert which was sold out, was a huge success.

Question 49

Identify the sentence with the correct comma placement when someone is speaking.

Accepted Answer

The teacher said, "Please turn in your homework by Friday."

Answer

The teacher said, "Please turn in your homework by Friday.

Answer

The teacher said "Please turn in your homework by Friday".

Question 50

Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate words that describe a noun.

Accepted Answer

The book was heavy, old, and dusty.

Answer

The book was heavy and old dusty.

Answer

The book heavy, old and dusty.

Answer

The heavy, book was old and dusty.

Question 51

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate parts of a date or an address?

Accepted Answer

I was born on March 15, 1990, in Los Angeles, California.

Answer

I was born on March 15 1990 in Los Angeles California.

Answer

I was born March 15, 1990 in Los Angeles, California.

Question 52

Identify the sentence with the correct comma usage after a group of words that comes before the main part of the sentence.

Accepted Answer

To begin with, I would like to discuss the main topic.

Answer

To begin with I would like to discuss the main topic.

Answer

To begin with,I would like to discuss the main topic.

Question 53

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly to set off extra information that renames or identifies something.

Accepted Answer

My friend, John, is a talented artist.

Answer

My friend John is a talented artist.

Answer

My friend John, is a talented artist.

Answer

My friend,John is a talented artist.