Commas: Master the Art of Punctuation

Question 1

Select the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence:

Accepted Answer

I went to the store, and I bought some milk.

Answer

I went to the store and I bought some milk.

Answer

I went to the store I bought some milk.

Answer

I went to the store, I bought some milk.

Question 2

Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate items in a list:

Accepted Answer

The store sells apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples, oranges and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples, oranges., and bananas.

Question 3

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate the elements of an address?

Accepted Answer

I live at 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 91234

Answer

I live in 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 91234

Answer

I live on 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 91234

Question 4

In which of the following sentences are commas used correctly to separate items in a list?

Accepted Answer

I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.

Answer

I bought apples, bananas and oranges.

Question 5

Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store I bought some groceries.

Question 6

Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to separate a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

The book, which was on the table, is mine.

Answer

The book which, was on the table, is mine.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a rule for comma usage?

Accepted Answer

Use commas to separate clauses with different subjects.

Answer

Use commas to separate items in a list.

Answer

Use commas to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Answer

Use commas to separate nonessential clauses from essential clauses.

Question 8

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The boy, who was very tired, went to bed.

Answer

The boy who was, very tired went to bed.

Question 9

Why is it important to use commas correctly?

Accepted Answer

To ensure clarity and avoid confusion.

Answer

To make sentences sound more formal.

Answer

To follow the rules of grammar.

Answer

To impress your teacher.

Question 10

Which of the following sentences demonstrates the correct use of commas to separate a direct quotation?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The students studied hard, and they passed the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard and they passed the exam.

Answer

The students, studied hard and they passed the exam.

Answer

The students, studied hard. And, they passed the exam.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The ingredients are flour, sugar, eggs, and butter.

Answer

The ingredients are flour, sugar, eggs and butter.

Answer

The ingredients are flour sugar, eggs and butter.

Answer

The ingredients include flour sugar eggs and butter.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The book that I read was fascinating.

Answer

The book, that I read, was fascinating.

Answer

The book I read was fascinating.

Answer

The book, I read was fascinating.

Question 14

Which of the following sentences does NOT require a comma?

Accepted Answer

The dog ran across the street.

Answer

I went to the store and bought milk.

Answer

My favorite color is purple, and my sister's favorite color is blue.

Answer

The car, which was red, was parked in the driveway.

Question 15

In the sentence 'The students who studied hard passed the test.', which phrase is a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

who studied hard

Answer

The students

Answer

passed the test

Question 16

Which pair of clauses correctly uses a comma and coordinating conjunction to form a compound sentence?

Accepted Answer

The dog barked, and the cat meowed.

Answer

The dog barked and the cat meowed.

Answer

The dog barked; the cat meowed.

Answer

The dog barked the cat meowed.

Question 17

Select the sentence that uses commas correctly to indicate a pause or emphasis:

Accepted Answer

The students, eager to learn, raised their hands.

Answer

The students eager to learn raised their hands.

Answer

The students eager, to learn, raised their hands.

Answer

The students eager to learn, raised their hands.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

After school, I went to the library.

Answer

After school I went to the library.

Answer

After, school I went to the library.

Answer

After, school, I went to the library.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

I brought apples, oranges, and bananas to the party.

Answer

I brought apples oranges, and bananas to the party.

Answer

I brought apples, oranges and bananas to the party.

Question 20

Where should a comma be placed in the sentence 'The dog chased the cat meowed loudly'?

Accepted Answer

Between 'cat' and 'meowed'

Answer

Between 'dog' and 'chased'

Answer

Between 'chased' and 'the'

Question 21

Select the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate a nonessential clause:

Accepted Answer

My brother, who is a doctor, is visiting this weekend.

Answer

My brother is visiting this weekend, who is a doctor.

Answer

My brother is a doctor who is visiting this weekend.

Question 22

Which of the following phrases is considered a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

who is a skilled musician

Answer

because it was raining

Answer

and my favorite color is blue

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a type of sentence element that can be separated by commas?

Accepted Answer

Dependent clauses

Answer

Lists

Answer

Independent clauses

Question 24

Which of the following sentences contains an example of a comma splice?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store and I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store; I bought some groceries.

Question 25

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

Accepted Answer

I need to buy milk, eggs, and bread.

Answer

I need to buy milk, eggs and bread.

Answer

I need to buy milk eggs and bread.

Answer

I need to buy milk and eggs and bread.

Question 26

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

Accepted Answer

The dog barked, which startled the cat.

Answer

The dog barked which startled the cat.

Answer

The dog barked that startled the cat.

Answer

The dog barked and the cat was startled.

Question 27

Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly?

Accepted Answer

The store sells apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples, oranges and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples and oranges, bananas.

Question 28

Commas should NOT be used:

Accepted Answer

When joining two sentences with a semicolon

Answer

To separate items in a list

Answer

To separate independent clauses in a compound sentence

Answer

To set off nonessential clauses

Question 29

Which option is an example of a comma splice?

Accepted Answer

Using a comma to join two independent clauses without a conjunction

Answer

Using a comma to separate items in a list

Answer

Using a comma to set off a nonessential clause

Answer

Using a comma to join two sentences with a semicolon

Question 30

Identify the sentence that contains a run-on sentence.

Accepted Answer

The dog barked the cat ran away.

Answer

The dog barked, and the cat ran away.

Answer

The dog barked; the cat ran away.

Answer

The dog barked, while the cat ran away.

Question 31

What is the key difference between a comma and a semicolon?

Accepted Answer

Commas are used to separate items in a list, while semicolons are used to join independent clauses.

Answer

Semicolons are used to separate items in a list, while commas are used to join independent clauses.

Answer

Commas and semicolons are interchangeable.

Answer

There is no difference between commas and semicolons.

Question 32

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

Accepted Answer

The boy, who lives next door, is my best friend.

Answer

The boy who lives next door is my best friend.

Answer

The boy, who lives next door is, my best friend.

Answer

The boy who lives, next door is my best friend.

Question 33

Select the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate introductory elements from the rest of the sentence.

Accepted Answer

Before eating, I wash my hands.

Answer

Before eating I wash my hands.

Answer

Before, eating I wash my hands.

Answer

Before eating, I wash my, hands.

Question 34

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence.

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.'

Answer

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

Question 35

Select the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate two adjectives that describe the same noun.

Accepted Answer

The tall, handsome man walked into the room.

Answer

The tall and handsome man walked into the room.

Answer

The tall, and handsome man walked into the room.

Answer

The tall handsome, man walked into the room.

Question 36

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate a vocative expression?

Accepted Answer

Excuse me, sir, can you help me?

Answer

Excuse me sir, can you help me.

Answer

Excuse me, sir can you help, me?

Answer

Excuse me sir can you help me?

Question 37

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate a parenthetical expression.

Accepted Answer

The car, which is red, is parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which is red is parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which is, red, is parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car, which is red is, parked in the driveway.

Question 38

Which of the following sentences uses a comma to correctly separate items in a list?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store to buy apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

I went to the store to buy apples, oranges and bananas.

Answer

I went to the store to buy apples, oranges, and bananas but only bought apples.

Question 39

Which sentence provides an example of correct comma usage for a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

John went to the store, where he bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

John went to the store where he bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

John, who went to the store, bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

John went to the store; he bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Question 40

Which of the following rules for comma usage is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

A comma is used to separate the subject from the verb.

Answer

A comma is used to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Answer

A comma is used to separate items in a list of three or more items.

Question 41

Which of the following sentences demonstrates proper comma usage to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

The teacher said, "Please turn to page 72" and start reading.

Answer

The teacher said "Please turn to page 72" and start reading.

Answer

The teacher said please turn to page 72 and start reading.

Answer

The teacher said "Please turn to page 72 and start reading."

Question 42

Which of the following sentences uses commas to correctly set off an introductory element?

Accepted Answer

Before heading to the park, I packed a picnic basket.

Answer

Before heading to the park I packed a picnic basket.

Answer

Before heading to the park,I packed a picnic basket.

Question 43

Which of the following sentences uses commas to correctly separate a series of adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The tall, brown, and beautiful horse galloped through the field.

Answer

The tall, brown and beautiful horse galloped through the field.

Question 44

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

Accepted Answer

The movie, which my sister recommended, was very entertaining.

Answer

The movie, my sister recommended was very entertaining.

Answer

The movie my sister recommended, was very entertaining.

Question 45

Which sentence uses commas to correctly separate coordinate adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The students were excited, happy, and eager to learn.

Answer

The students were excited, happy and eager to learn.

Answer

The students were excited happy, and eager to learn.

Question 46

Select the sentence that is punctuated correctly with a comma:

Accepted Answer

The movie, despite its flaws, was a box office hit.

Answer

The movie, despite it's flaws was a box office hit.

Answer

The movie despite its flaws, was a box office hit

Question 47

Identify the list that is punctuated correctly with commas:

Accepted Answer

I went to the store to buy apples, bananas, and oranges.

Answer

I went to the store to buy apples bananas and oranges.

Answer

I went to the store to buy, apples, bananas and oranges.

Question 48

Choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly with a comma:

Accepted Answer

When I arrived home, I saw that I had forgotten my keys.

Answer

When I got home; I realized I had forgotten my keys.

Answer

When I got home I realized I had forgotten my keys.

Question 49

Identify the list that is punctuated correctly with commas:

Accepted Answer

I enjoy 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 50

Choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly with commas:

Accepted Answer

I went to the grocery store to purchase bread, milk, and eggs.

Answer

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

Answer

I went to the store to buy bread; milk and eggs.

Answer

I went to the store to buy bread milk and eggs.

Question 51

Choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly with commas:

Accepted Answer

The car, which is blue, is parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car, which is blue is, parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which is blue is parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which is blue, is parked in the driveway

Question 52

Identify the list that is punctuated correctly with commas:

Accepted Answer

I need to buy apples, bananas, and oranges.

Answer

I need to buy apples bananas and oranges

Answer

I need to buy apples; bananas and oranges.

Answer

I need to buy apples bananas, and oranges