MC Test 2.2 Study Guide

​MC Test 2.2 Study Guide

By Neomi Clark

Identifying Essential and Nonessential Information

Restrictive

In most versions, Cinderella disappears into the realm known as “the happily ever after.”

Non-restrictive

Known all around the world, the Cinderella story is a coming-of-age tale.

Multiple Choice

"Madonna Kolbenschlag's essay explores the many variations of Cinderella a famous fairy tale which in various forms is told throughout the world. "

Which revised version of the excerpt uses commas correctly?

• Madonna Kolbenschlag's essay, explores the many variations of Cinderella, a famous fairy tale in various forms is told throughout the world. 

• Madonna Kolbenschlag's essay explores the many variations of Cinderella, a famous fairy tale told, throughout the world, in various forms.

• Madonna Kolbenschlag's essay explores the many variations of Cinderella, a famous fairy tale in various forms, which is told throughout the world.

• Madonna Kolbenschlag's essay explores the many variations of Cinderella, a famous fairy tale, which in various forms is told throughout the world. 

Read Another Example...

Restrictive

The version that I read as a child includes a fairy godmother.

Non-restrictive

I like Grimm's version, which I read as a child.

Punctuating Nonrestrictive Elements

Comma: Most of the time, writers use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements. A nonrestrictive element in the middle of a sentence is set off with a comma before and after.

Parentheses: Using parentheses to set off nonrestrictive elements suggests that the information is extra or separate from the surrounding information.

Dash: A dash or pair of dashes can be used to signal a pause that calls attention to information.

Multiple Choice

Cinderella first endures abasement lowering of status when her father remarries.

Which revision is punctuated correctly?

• Cinderella first endures abasement lowering of status—when her father remarries.

• Cinderella first endures abasement lowering of status (when her father remarries).

• Cinderella first endures abasement (lowering of status) when her father remarries.

• Cinderella first endures abasement—lowering of status when her father remarries.

Examples of Punctuating Nonrestrictive Elements

Commas:
Madonna Kolbenschlag, the writer of the essay, discusses Cinderella.

Parentheses:
One theme of the tale is social mobility (the ability to move out of one class and into another).

Dash:
She changes her name, no doubt, and—like so many women—is never heard of again.

Multiple Choice

Using fairy tales and myths she explores contemporary female psychology.

Which revision is punctuated correctly?

• Using fairy tales and myths; she explores contemporary female psychology.

• Using fairy tales and myths- she explores contemporary female psychology.

• Using fairy tales and myths, she explores contemporary female psychology.

• Using fairy tales and myths (she explores contemporary female psychology).

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Independent Clause: There were no shops on this wide street that he was walking along

Dependent Clause:
only a line of tall houses on each side

Dependent Clause:
all them identical.

Using a complex sentence structure enables a writer to show complex relationships between and among ideas.

Multiple Choice

Identify the independent clause in the following sentence:

"Holding her teacup high in one hand, inclining her head slightly to the left, she looked up at him out of the corners of her eyes and gave him another gentle little smile."

• holding her teacup high in one hand

• inclining her head slightly to the left

• she looked up at him out of the corners of her eyes and gave him another gentle little smile