Punctuation 8

Read this sentence.

After thirty years of service my father retired from the fire department.

Where should a comma be inserted in this sentence?

Lee esta oración. Después de treinta años de servicio, mi padre se retiró del departamento de bomberos. ¿Dónde se debe insertar una coma en esta oración?

• after “retired”

• after “years”

• after “service”

• after “father”

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

¿Qué oración usa las comas correctamente?

• The new teacher who had been at the school only two days, knew the name of each of her students.

• The new teacher who had been, at the school, only two days, knew the name of each of her students.

• The new teacher, who had been at the school only two days, knew the name of each of her students.

• The new teacher, who had been at the school only two days, knew the name, of each of her students.

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

¿Qué oración usa las comas correctamente?

• Although I prefer summer I am quite fond, of all four seasons.

• Although I prefer summer, I am quite fond of all four seasons.

• Although I prefer summer, I am quite fond, of all four seasons.

• Although, I prefer summer, I am quite fond of all four seasons.

Which sentence uses the correct punctuation to indicate a pause or break?

¿Qué oración usa la puntuación correcta para indicar una pausa o un descanso?

• The car mechanic, working, too quickly had forgotten, to reattach the oil filter.

• The car mechanic working too quickly, had forgotten to reattach the oil filter.

• The car mechanic, working too quickly had forgotten to reattach the oil filter.

• The car mechanic, working too quickly, had forgotten to reattach the oil filter.

Which sentence uses the correct punctuation to indicate a pause or break?

¿Qué oración usa la puntuación correcta para indicar una pausa o un descanso?

• The average rainfall, in the area however, will never be enough to support farming.

• The average rainfall in the area, however, will never be enough to support farming.

• The average rainfall in the area, however will never be enough to support farming.

• The average rainfall in the area however, will never be enough to support farming.

A common function of a comma is:

Una función común de una coma es:

• to indicate an omission of a word or phrase in a quotation

• to show a significant pause, break, or change in a sentence

• to show a minor pause or set aside extra information in a sentence

• to end a sentence.

Read the sentence and answer the question.

The border collie—always ready to herd—chased the kittens onto the back deck and into their bed.

What is the function of the dashes in this sentence?

• to add information about the collie

• to summarize the actions taking place

• to contrast the collie and the kittens

• to change the subject of the sentence

Read the sentence and answer the question.

Only one word came to Sanjay’s mind as he watched the sun set over the ocean—awe.

What is the function of the dash in this sentence?

• To emphasize Sanjay’s feelings

• to illustrate the beauty of the sunset

• to change the tone of the sentence

• To summarize Sanjay’s actions

A dash is most often used to do which of the following?

¿Para cuál de las siguientes cosas se usa con más frecuencia un guión?

• mark the beginning of a quotation

• set up a series of items in a list

• begin a dramatic monologue

• indicate a sudden change in thought

In the sentence:

My mom, however, disagreed with my dad--who believes that cleaning is boring.

the dash is most likely used to

• show an omission of a word or phrase in a quotation.

• show a minor pause

• show a pause and shift in the sentence topic

• separate items in a list.