Grammar on the Shakespeare Test

Grammar on the Shakespeare Unit Exam

By Matt Lindgren

Punctuation Problems

Commas

• Refer to your study guide: bonus content while using this quizizz to review the punctuation.

• Don't just guess: look closely at the location of each comma.

• Be sure to review the explanation after each question.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• Born in 1564, William Shakespeare, the famous playwright and poet, grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.

• Born in 1564 William Shakespeare, the famous playwright and poet, grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.

• Born in 1564, William Shakespeare the famous playwright and poet grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.

• Born, in 1564 William Shakespeare, the famous playwright and poet, grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Explanation

Born in 1564, William Shakespeare, the famous playwright and poet, grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.

• The introductory phrase "Born in 1564," is correctly followed by a comma. The appositive "William Shakespeare, the famous playwright and poet," is also correctly set off with commas.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• In his plays Shakespeare explored themes, that were timeless and universal including love power and fate.

• In his plays, Shakespeare explored themes that were timeless, and universal, including love power, and fate.

• In his plays, Shakespeare explored themes that were timeless and universal, including love, power, and fate.

• In his plays Shakespeare explored themes that were timeless and universal, including love, power and fate.

  
  

Explanation

In his plays, Shakespeare explored themes that were timeless and universal, including love, power, and fate.

• A comma follows the introductory phrase "In his plays," and commas properly separate items in the list (love, power, and fate).

Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• The First Folio published in 1623 contained thirty-six of Shakespeare’s plays.

•  The First Folio, published in 1623, contained thirty-six of Shakespeare’s plays.

• The First Folio published, in 1623, contained thirty-six of Shakespeare’s plays.

• The First Folio, published in 1623 contained thirty-six of Shakespeare’s plays.

Explanation

The First Folio, published in 1623, contained thirty-six of Shakespeare’s plays.

• "Published in 1623" is extra information (a nonessential clause) and is correctly set off by commas.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• Queen Elizabeth I who ruled during much of Shakespeare’s life, was a great supporter of the arts.

• Queen Elizabeth I who ruled during much of Shakespeare’s life was, a great supporter of the arts.

• Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled during much of Shakespeare’s life, was a great supporter of the arts.

•  Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled during much of Shakespeare’s life was a great supporter of the arts.

Explanation

Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled during much of Shakespeare’s life, was a great supporter of the arts.

• The phrase "who ruled during much of Shakespeare’s life" is nonessential and should be set off by commas.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• During his career Shakespeare wrote tragedies but, he also wrote comedies and histories.

•  During his career, Shakespeare wrote tragedies but he also wrote, comedies and histories.

• During his career Shakespeare wrote tragedies but he also wrote comedies and histories.

• During his career, Shakespeare wrote tragedies, but he also wrote comedies and histories.

Explanation

During his career, Shakespeare wrote tragedies, but he also wrote comedies and histories.

• A comma follows the introductory phrase "During his career," and another comma is used before "but" to separate the two independent clauses.

Multiple Choice

What do the correctly placed commas in the sentence below indicate?
"Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, was eight years older than him."

• The commas separate two complete sentences.

• The commas show that "which opened in 1599" is extra information.

• The sentence would be incorrect without a comma before "which."

• The commas emphasize the subject of the sentence.

Explanation

That "Anne Hathaway" is extra information, so the sentence would still make sense without it.

• The commas around "Anne Hathaway" show that this is extra information (a nonessential appositive), meaning the sentence could still make sense without it: "Shakespeare’s wife was eight years older than him."

Multiple Choice

Why are commas necessary in this sentence?
"The Globe Theatre, which opened in 1599, was one of the most famous playhouses of its time."

• That Shakespeare had more than one wife

• That Anne Hathaway is extra information, so the sentence would still make sense without it

• That Shakespeare’s wife’s full name was "Shakespeare’s Wife Anne Hathaway"

• That Anne Hathaway is an essential part of the sentence and cannot be removed

Explanation

The commas show that "which opened in 1599" is extra information.

• The phrase "which opened in 1599" does not change the core meaning of the sentence, so it is nonessential and correctly set off with commas.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses a restrictive clause (an essential detail without commas)?

• The play, that Shakespeare wrote in 1595, is still widely performed today.

• The play that Shakespeare wrote, in 1595 is still widely performed today.

• The play that Shakespeare wrote in 1595 is still widely performed today.

• The play which Shakespeare wrote in 1595, is still widely performed today.

Explanation

The play that Shakespeare wrote in 1595 is still widely performed today.

• "That Shakespeare wrote in 1595" is a restrictive (essential) clause because it specifies which play is being discussed. No commas should be used.

Multiple Choice

What is the main purpose of the comma in this sentence?
"Shakespeare wrote Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear during the early 1600s."

• To separate adjectives

• To create a pause for dramatic effect

• To separate two independent clauses

• To avoid confusion in a list

Explanation

To avoid confusion in a list.

• The commas separate the three items (Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear) in a list, ensuring clarity.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses a comma in a compound sentence?

• Shakespeare’s works are still studied, and they continue to inspire writers today.

• Shakespeare’s works are still studied and they continue, to inspire writers today.

• Shakespeare’s works, are still studied and they continue to inspire writers today.

• Shakespeare’s works are still studied and, they continue to inspire writers today.

Explanation

Shakespeare’s works are still studied, and they continue to inspire writers today.

• The comma before "and" correctly separates two independent clauses, forming a compound sentence.