Commas, Dashes, Parentheses Review

Which sentence contains a punctuation error?

• 1. Ancient Egyptians did not cultivate oats because oats were considered weeds, but many people today enjoy oatmeal, which is made from oats as part of a healthy diet.

• 1. Lake Baikal in Russia, also known as the Pearl of Siberia, is the deepest lake in the world and holds about 20% of Earth's available fresh water.

• 1. Plaster of Paris, which is made from powdered gypsum and is mined near Paris, has been used to help fractures heal, and people have been using it since 1850.

• 1. British citizens today are able to obtain knighthood, an honor originally granted for exceptional military performance, for significant contributions to their nation.

Answer explanation

This sentence has an error because the nonessential element should be in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• 1. Caroline was very surprised—the look of shock was priceless—when I told her I had started dance lessons.

• 1. Caroline—was very surprised—the look of shock was priceless when I told her I had started dance lessons.

• 1. The strong, burnt smell—an unfortunate result of overcooked popcorn lingered in the kitchen for days.

• 1. The strong, burnt smell an unfortunate result of overcooked popcorn—lingered in the kitchen for days.

Answer explanation

This is the only sentence that correctly places the nonessential information between two dashes.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.8.2A

Which response contains correct punctuation?

• 1. The human foot is an intricately designed structure, containing (33 joints, 26 bones, and 19 muscles responsible for lifting) half a person's body weight every time the heel lifts off the ground.

• 1. The human foot is an intricately designed structure (each foot) containing 33 joints, 26 bones, and 19 muscles responsible for lifting half a person's body weight every time the heel lifts off the ground.

• 1. The human foot is an intricately designed structure (containing 33 joints, 26 bones, and 19 muscles) responsible for lifting half a person's weight every time the heel lifts off the ground.

• 1. The human foot is an intricately designed structure with each foot containing 33 joints, 26 bones, and 19 muscles (responsible for lifting half a person's body weight) every time the heel lifts off the ground.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly places the nonessential information in parentheses.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

A student is writing an essay for social studies class. The student needs to use correct punctuation. Read the sentences from the essay and select the two phrases that could be correctly placed in parentheses.

Cassava also known as manioc is a root vegetable common in both African and Caribbean cooking. There are several different ways to cook cassava, which can be boiled, fried, ground into flour, or grated and dried to make cassava meal. In Africa, a popular way to prepare cassava is to turn it into a porridge called fufu. In the Caribbean, cassava is often made into a dessert similar to sweet potato pie by combining it with coconut, pumpkin, sugar, and spices.

• also known as manioc

• which can be boiled, fried, ground into flour, or grated

• called fufu

• similar to sweet potato pie

Answer explanation

These two choices are nonessential to their sentences so they need to be inside parentheses.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which sentence contains correct punctuation?

• 1. Dance practice which took place in the gymnasium lasted much longer, than I imagined.

• 1. Dance practice, which took place in the gymnasium lasted much longer, than I imagined.

• 1. Dance practice which took place in the gymnasium, lasted much longer than I imagined.

• 1. Dance practice, which took place in the gymnasium, lasted much longer than I imagined.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• 1. In 1904—an enormous number—of visitors, around 20 million, attended the St. Louis World's Fair.

• 1. In 1904, an enormous number of visitors, around 20 million attended the St. Louis World's Fair.

• 1. In 1904, an enormous number of visitors—around 20 million—attended the St. Louis World's Fair.

• 1. In 1904, an enormous number of visitors around 20 million, attended the St. Louis World's Fair.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.8.2A

Which response contains correct punctuation?

• 1. (On average) German citizens consume more coffee per day, 1.23 cups, than citizens from the United States, 0.93 cups.

• 1. On average, German citizens consume more coffee (per day) 1.23 cups, than citizens from the United States, 0.93 cups.

• 1. On average, German citizens consume more coffee per day (1.23 cups) than citizens from the United States (0.93 cups).

• 1. On average, German citizens consume more coffee per day, 1.23 (cups) than those from the United States, 0.93 (cups).

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which of the following uses parentheses correctly?

• My worst (subject Math) is getting easier.
• My worst subject (Math) is getting easier.
• My worst subject Math (is getting easier).

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

• My little brother-- who annoys everyone will not be there-- tonight.
• My little brother--who annoys everyone--will not be there tonight.
• My little--brother who annoys--everyone will not be there tonight.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.8.2A

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• Adolf the (biggest chimp) was not very helpful to Jane, but Rashidi was.

• Adolf (the biggest chimp) was not very helpful to Jane, but Rashidi was.

• Adolf the biggest chimp was not very helpful to Jane (but Rashidi was).

• Adolf the biggest chimp was (not very helpful) to Jane, but Rashidi was.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A