Appositive phrases Set-2 - Grade 8 Assessment

Locate the appositive phrase in this sentence: My dog, a fluffy golden retriever, loves to chase squirrels.

• a fluffy golden retriever

• My dog

• loves to chase

• chase squirrels

Answer explanation

An appositive phrase renames a noun. 'A fluffy golden retriever' renames 'My dog'.

True or False: An appositive phrase is used to give more information about a verb or an action in a sentence.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

An appositive phrase always gives more information about a noun or pronoun by renaming or identifying it.

Name the one-word noun that the appositive phrase 'a difficult subject' renames in this sentence: I finally got an A in algebra, a difficult subject.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The appositive phrase 'a difficult subject' gives more information about the noun 'algebra'.

Which sentence shows the correct way to punctuate an appositive phrase at the end of a sentence?

• We're going to my favorite pizza place, Tony's Pizzeria.

• We're going to my favorite pizza place Tony's Pizzeria.

• We're going to, my favorite pizza place, Tony's Pizzeria.

• We're going to my favorite pizza place Tony's Pizzeria,.

Answer explanation

When a non-essential appositive phrase comes at the end of a sentence, a single comma is used to set it off from the noun it renames.

Complete the sentence by filling in the blank with the appositive phrase 'my favorite teacher' and any necessary punctuation: Mrs. Davis, (a)   , is retiring this year.

Answer explanation

A non-essential appositive phrase in the middle of a sentence needs to be set off with commas, one before it and one after it.

True or False: The sentence 'My friend Liam lives on my street' is punctuated correctly.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is correct. The name 'Liam' is essential information if you have more than one friend, so it does not need commas. If you only have one friend, you would write 'My friend, Liam, lives on my street.'

Which option best combines these two sentences using an appositive phrase? 'The new Marvel movie is coming out this weekend. It is the most anticipated film of the year.'

• The new Marvel movie is coming out this weekend, and it is the most anticipated film of the year.

• The new Marvel movie, the most anticipated film of the year, is coming out this weekend.

• The new Marvel movie is coming out this weekend because it is the most anticipated film of the year.

• The most anticipated film of the year is the new Marvel movie, which is coming out this weekend.

Answer explanation

This choice correctly turns 'the most anticipated film of the year' into an appositive phrase that renames 'The new Marvel movie', combining the sentences smoothly.

Rewrite the following sentence, but remove the non-essential appositive phrase: My phone, an outdated and cracked iPhone, desperately needs to be replaced. (a)  

Answer explanation

A non-essential appositive phrase can be removed from a sentence without changing the sentence's basic meaning.

In which sentence is the appositive *essential* (necessary for the meaning) and therefore does NOT need commas?

• Our principal, Mr. Jones, gave a speech.

• My sister, Amelia, is learning to drive.

• The singer Taylor Swift is known for her songwriting.

• I read the book, a long fantasy novel, in two days.

Answer explanation

The name 'Taylor Swift' is essential to identify which singer is being discussed. Without her name, the sentence 'The singer is known for her songwriting' would be unclear. The other options provide extra, non-essential information.

Create a short, logical appositive phrase to complete this sentence. Make sure it's a noun phrase that renames the noun before it. My homework, (a)   , took me all night to finish.

Answer explanation

Many answers are possible, such as 'that impossible math worksheet' or 'a project for science class'. The answer must be a noun phrase that renames 'My homework'.