April 10th Ellipses, Dashes, and Commas II

Read the paragraph.

Many animals hibernate during the winter to conserve energy. For example, bears find a safe place to sleep for several months without eating. When they wake up they search for food to regain their strength.

Which is the correct way to use commas to punctuate the last sentence of the paragraph?

• A. When they wake up, they search for food to regain their strength

• B. When, they wake up they search for food to regain their strength.

• C. When they wake up they, search for food to regain their strength.

• D. When they wake up they search, for food to regain their strength.

Answer explanation

A. When they wake up, they search for food to regain their strength. (Correct – the comma correctly separates the introductory phrase "When they wake up.")
B. When, they wake up they search for food to regain their strength. (Incorrect – the comma is in the wrong place.)
C. When they wake up they, search for food to regain their strength. (Incorrect – the comma incorrectly interrupts the main clause.)
D. When they wake up they search, for food to regain their strength. (Incorrect – there is no natural pause before "for food.")

Tags

SC.ELA.8.C.4.1.B

Read the sentence.

The scientist recorded the results of the experiment, analyzed the data, and wrote a report.

Which sentence demonstrates the most logical use of an ellipsis to indicate an omission in the sentence?

• A. The scientist recorded the results... and wrote a report.

• B. The scientist... recorded the results of the experiment, analyzed the data, and wrote a report.

• C. The scientist recorded the results of the experiment, analyzed...

• D. The scientist recorded the results of the experiment... analyzed the data and wrote a report.

Answer explanation

A. The scientist recorded the results... and wrote a report. (Correct – "analyzed the data" is omitted, but the sentence remains clear.)
B. The scientist... recorded the results of the experiment, analyzed the data, and wrote a report. (Incorrect – removing "The scientist" creates confusion.)
C. The scientist recorded the results of the experiment, analyzed... (Incorrect – this sentence is incomplete.)
D. The scientist recorded the results of the experiment... analyzed the data and wrote a report. (Incorrect – the placement of the ellipsis makes the sentence unclear.)

Tags

SC.ELA.C.4.1.B

Read the sentence.

The author described the setting in great detail, explaining how the sunlight filtered through the trees and cast golden shadows on the forest floor.

Which sentence correctly uses punctuation to replace the bold words?

• A. The author described the setting in great detail, explaining how the sunlight --- cast golden shadows on the forest floor.

• B. The author described the setting in great detail, explaining how the sunlight... cast golden shadows on the forest floor.

• C. The author described the setting, in great detail... explaining how the sunlight filtered through the trees and cast golden shadows on the forest floor.

• D. The author described the setting in great detail explaining how the sunlight filtered through the trees and cast golden shadows on the forest floor.

Answer explanation

A. The author described the setting in great detail, explaining how the sunlight --- cast golden shadows on the forest floor.

❌The words are replaced with a dash instead of an ellipsis.

B. The author described the setting in great detail, explaining how the sun light... cast golden shadows on the forest floor.

✅The ellipsis replaces the missing words in the sentence.

C. The author described the setting, in great detail... explaining how the sunlight filtered through the trees and cast golden shadows on the floor.

❌An ellipsis was added without taking words out of the sentence.

D. The author described the setting in great detail explaining how the sunlight filtered through the trees and cast golden shadows on the forest floor.

❌No words were removed.

Tags

SC.ELA.8.C.4.1.B

Read the sentence.

Liam had practiced for months for the school play but as soon as he stepped onto the stage his mind went blank.

Which sentence correctly uses a dash to indicate a pause?

• A. Liam had practiced for months for the school play—but as soon as he stepped —onto the stage his mind went blank.

• B. Liam had practiced for months for the school play—but as soon as he stepped onto the stage, his mind went blank.

• C. Liam had practiced—for months for the school play but as soon as he stepped onto the stage his mind went blank.

• D. Liam had practiced for months for the school play, but—as soon as he stepped onto the stage his mind went blank.

Answer explanation

A. Liam had practiced for months for the school play—but as soon as he stepped onto the stage—his mind went blank. (Incorrect – two dashes unnecessarily separate the sentence into three parts.)
B. Liam had practiced for months for the school play—but as soon as he stepped onto the stage, his mind went blank. (Correct – the dash correctly emphasizes the contrast and introduces the unexpected outcome.)
C. Liam had practiced—for months for the school play but as soon as he stepped onto the stage his mind went blank. (Incorrect – the dash interrupts "for months," which is unnecessary.)
D. Liam had practiced for months for the school play, but—as soon as he stepped onto the stage his mind went blank. (Incorrect – the dash after "but" is unnecessary and disrupts the sentence flow.)

Tags

SC.ELA.8.C.4.1.B

Read the sentence.

The old house creaked in the wind, the shutters banged against the windows and the floorboards groaned under each step.

Which revision best improves the sentence’s clarity and readability?

• A. The old house creaked in the wind, the shutters banged against the windows, and the floorboards groaned under each step.

• B. The old house creaked in the wind the shutters banged against the windows, and the floorboards groaned under each step

• C. The old house creaked, in the wind, the shutters banged against the windows and the floorboards groaned under each step.

• D. The old house creaked in the wind, the shutters banged against the windows and, the floorboards groaned under each step.

Answer explanation

A. The old house creaked in the wind, the shutters banged against the windows, and the floorboards groaned under each step. (Correct – the comma after "windows" correctly separates the list of three actions.)
B. The old house creaked in the wind the shutters banged against the windows, and the floorboards groaned under each step. (Incorrect – a comma is missing after "wind.")
C. The old house creaked, in the wind, the shutters banged against the windows and the floorboards groaned under each step. (Incorrect – the comma after "creaked" is unnecessary.)
D. The old house creaked in the wind, the shutters banged against the windows and, the floorboards groaned under each step. (Incorrect – the comma before "the floorboards" is misplaced.)

Tags

SC.ELA.8.C.4.1.B