Comma Usage Quiz

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Although the Tigris and Euphrates flooded each year farmers had to build irrigation systems to control the water.

• Although the Tigris and Euphrates flooded each year, farmers had to build irrigation systems to control the water.

• Although, the Tigris and Euphrates flooded each year farmers had to build irrigation systems to control the water.

• The Tigris and Euphrates flooded each year farmers had to, build irrigation systems.

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• The Sumerians invented the wheel, and they developed one of the world’s first writing systems.

• The Sumerians invented the wheel and, they developed one of the world’s first writing systems.

• The Sumerians invented the wheel and they developed one of the world’s first writing systems.

• The Sumerians invented, the wheel and they developed one of the world’s first writing systems.

Where should the comma go in this sentence? Hammurabi created a strict set of laws but some of them treated people unequally depending on their class.

• Hammurabi created a strict set of laws, but some of them treated people unequally depending on their class.

• Hammurabi, created a strict set of laws but some of them treated people unequally depending on their class.

• Hammurabi created, a strict set of laws but some of them treated people unequally depending on their class.

• Hammurabi created a strict set of laws but, some of them treated people unequally depending on their class.

Select the sentence that uses commas correctly.

• Because Mesopotamia lacked natural barriers, it was invaded by many different groups.

• Because Mesopotamia lacked natural barriers it, was invaded by many different groups.

• Because, Mesopotamia lacked natural barriers it was invaded by many different groups.

• Because Mesopotamia lacked natural barriers it was, invaded by many different groups.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• The ziggurats rose above the cities, yet they were used more for religious purposes than as tombs.

• The ziggurats rose above the cities yet, they were used more for religious purposes than as tombs.

• The ziggurats, rose above the cities yet they were used more for religious purposes than as tombs.

• The ziggurats rose above, the cities yet they were used more for religious purposes than as tombs.

Which sentence is correct?

• Even though the Assyrians were fierce warriors, they also valued art, and they built a massive library in Nineveh.

• Even though the Assyrians were fierce warriors they also, valued art and they built a massive library in Nineveh.

• Even though the Assyrians were fierce warriors, they also valued art and they built a massive library in Nineveh.

• Even though the Assyrians were fierce warriors they also valued art, and they built a massive library in Nineveh.

Identify the properly punctuated sentence.

• The rivers provided fertile soil, so farmers were able to grow an abundance of crops.

• The rivers, provided fertile soil so farmers were able to grow an abundance of crops.

• The rivers provided fertile soil so, farmers were able to grow an abundance of crops.

• The rivers provided, fertile soil so farmers were able to grow an abundance of crops.

Where should commas be placed? After the Babylonians conquered Sumer they blended their cultures and they built a powerful empire.

• After the Babylonians conquered Sumer, they blended their cultures, and they built a powerful empire.

• After, the Babylonians conquered Sumer they blended their cultures and they built a powerful empire.

• After the Babylonians, conquered Sumer they blended their cultures, and they built a powerful empire.

• After the Babylonians conquered Sumer they blended, their cultures and they built a powerful empire.

Which version uses commas properly?

• The scribes recorded transactions, and they kept detailed records because writing was essential for trade.

• The scribes recorded transactions and they kept detailed records, because writing was essential for trade.

• The scribes, recorded transactions and they kept detailed records because writing was essential for trade.

• The scribes recorded transactions and, they kept detailed records because writing was essential for trade.

Choose the best comma placement. Unless a city had strong walls it could not protect itself from invaders during times of war.

• Unless a city had strong walls, it could not protect itself from invaders during times of war.

• Unless, a city had strong walls it could not protect itself from invaders during times of war.

• Unless a city had strong walls it could not, protect itself from invaders during times of war.

• Unless a city had strong walls it, could not protect itself from invaders during times of war.