Apostrophes and Commas Quiz- ACT Style

1. 1.a rapper poet and activist
   A. a rapper, poet and activist
   B. a rapper poet, and activist
   C. a rapper, poet, and activist
   D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• 
  D

Answer explanation

1. a rapper poet and activist
Correct: C. a rapper, poet, and activist
✅ Why? When you list three things, you need commas between each.

• A is missing the last comma.

• B puts a comma in the wrong spot.

• D has no commas at all, so it’s confusing.

2.his first major release came in 2011 with Section.80
A. his first major release, came in 2011 with Section.80
B. his first major release came in 2011, with Section.80
C. his first major release came in 2011 with Section.80,
D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

2. his first major release came in 2011 with Section.80
Correct: B. his first major release came in 2011, with Section.80
✅ Why? We need a comma after the time (2011) to show a little pause before saying the name of the album.

• A puts the comma in the wrong place.

• C puts a comma at the end for no reason.

• D is missing a helpful pause.

3.but it wasn’t until 2012 that Kendrick’s career truly exploded
A. but it wasn’t until 2012, that Kendrick’s career truly exploded
B. but it wasn’t until 2012 that Kendrick’s, career truly exploded
C. but it wasnt until 2012 that Kendricks career truly exploded.
D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

3. but it wasn’t until 2012 that Kendrick’s career truly exploded
Correct: D. NO CHANGE
✅ Why? This sentence is already correct. It flows smoothly and doesn’t need any commas.

• A puts an extra comma after “2012” that breaks the flow.

• B adds a comma after Kendrick’s for no reason.

• C turns the sentence into a fragment.

4.and vivid scenes from his youth
A. and, vivid scenes from his youth
B. and vivid scenes, from his youth
C. and vivid, scenes from his youth
D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

4. and vivid scenes from his youth
Correct: D. NO CHANGE
✅ Why? You don’t need a comma between “vivid” and “scenes” because they go together like one idea.

• A adds a comma in the wrong place.

• B and C break the phrase apart in a way that sounds weird.

5.captured both the highs, and the lows, of his environment
A. captured both, the highs and the lows, of his environment
B. captured both the highs and lows of his environment
C. captured both the highs, and the lows of his environment
D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

5. captured both the highs and the lows of his environment
Correct: B. captured both the highs and lows of his environment
✅ Why? The word “both” already shows there are two things. We don’t need more commas.

• A adds commas that break the sentence up too much.

• C adds a comma before “and,” which isn’t needed here.

• D has extra words that feel clunky.

6. 6.recognized his voice as something entirely unique
   A. recognized his voice, as something entirely unique
   B. recognized his voice as something, entirely unique
   C. recognized, his voice as something entirely unique,
   D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

6. recognized his voice as something entirely unique
Correct: D. NO CHANGE
✅ Why? This sentence is already smooth and clear. No commas needed.

• A and B add commas that break the sentence for no reason.

• C ends the sentence early with a period, but that’s not needed yet.

7.and, the lessons he learned from mentors in his community
A.and the lessons he learned, from mentors in his community
B. and, the lessons, he learned from mentors in his community
C. and the lessons he learned from mentors in his community
D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

7. and, the lessons he learned from mentors in his community
Correct: C. and the lessons he learned from mentors in his community
✅ Why? No comma is needed after “and” when it’s part of a smooth phrase.

• B and D add commas that interrupt the sentence.

• A adds a comma in the wrong place.

8.its clear that fame hasn’t changed his sense of purpose
A. it’s clear that fame hasn’t changed his sense of purpose
B. its’ clear that fame hasn’t changed his sense of purpose
C. its clear, that fame hasn’t changed his sense of purpose
D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

8. its clear that fame hasn’t changed his sense of purpose
Correct: A. it’s clear that fame hasn’t changed his sense of purpose
✅ Why? “It’s” means “it is,” which is right here. “Its” is a possessive word (like “its tail”), which doesn’t work in this sentence.

• B and C are incorrect forms.

• D has the wrong word.

9.addressing complex topics like race inequality and violence
A. addressing complex topics like race inequality, and violence
B. addressing complex topics like race, inequality and violence
C. addressing complex topics like race, inequality, and violence
D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

9. addressing complex topics like race inequality and violence
Correct: C. addressing complex topics like race, inequality, and violence
✅ Why? When you list three things (race, inequality, violence), use commas.

• A adds a comma in the wrong place.

• B is okay but missing the Oxford comma.

  D has no commas, so it’s hard to tell it’s a list.

10. 10.they challenged listeners to think critically
    A. they, challenged listeners to think critically
    B. they challenged listeners, to think critically
    C. they, challenged listeners, to think critically.
    D. NO CHANGE

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

10. they challenged listeners to think critically
Correct: D. NO CHANGE
✅ Why? This sentence already makes sense. The two parts of the sentence are correctly joined with the word “and” from the sentence before.

• A and B add commas where you don’t need them.

• C ends the sentence early.