True or False: The following sentence is punctuated correctly. 'Her new address is 450 Oak Avenue, Portland, OR 97201.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is correct. A comma separates the city (Portland) from the state abbreviation (OR). No comma is used between the state and the ZIP code.

Which of the following sentences contains an error in date punctuation?

• The Declaration of Independence was signed in July 1776.

• Her birthday is May 5.

• The mission launched on December 4 2023, from the space center.

• The project is due on Friday, October 27.

Answer explanation

Sentence C is incorrect because a comma is required between the day and the year in a full date (December 4, 2023). The other sentences are punctuated correctly for the date formats they use.

Which sentence below is rewritten with the correct comma placement for the date? The original sentence is: The final concert is on **Friday December 6 2024** and I have tickets.

• The final concert is on Friday, December 6, 2024 and I have tickets.

• The final concert is on Friday December 6, 2024, and I have tickets.

• The final concert is on Friday, December 6, 2024, and I have tickets.

• The final concert is on Friday, December 6 2024, and I have tickets.

Answer explanation

Commas are needed to separate the day of the week from the month (Friday,), the day from the year (6,), and the year from the rest of the sentence (2024,). The final comma before 'and' correctly joins two independent clauses.

The invitation was mailed to an address in Phoenix___ last week.

• AZ

• , AZ,

• , AZ

• AZ,

Answer explanation

A comma is needed between the city (Phoenix) and the state abbreviation (AZ). When an address appears in the middle of a sentence, a second comma is needed after the state to separate it from the rest of the sentence.

True or False: The following sentence correctly uses commas to separate items in a series. 'For the bake sale, we need to make chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter bars, and brownies with walnuts.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is correct. Commas are used to separate the three distinct items in the list. The final comma before 'and' (the Oxford comma) is standard for clarity.

After a long and surprisingly quiet bus ride through the countryside___ the students arrived at the museum.

• ,

• ;

• the students

• and

Answer explanation

A comma is required to separate a long introductory phrase or clause from the main clause of the sentence. The other options would create a grammatical error.

Leo is great at soccer___ his sister is a talented swimmer.

• , and

• and

• ;

• ,

Answer explanation

To join two independent clauses (complete sentences), use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction like 'and'. A semicolon (;) could also be used, but a comma alone (,) creates an error called a comma splice.

Which of the following sentences is missing a necessary comma?

• I wanted to go to the park but it started to rain.

• He ran fast and won the race.

• Should we watch a movie or play a game?

• She was tired yet determined to finish.

Answer explanation

Sentence A needs a comma before 'but' because it connects two independent clauses ('I wanted to go to the park' and 'it started to rain'). The other sentences do not connect two full independent clauses, so they do not require a comma.

Because the library was closing in five minutes___ Maria quickly checked out her books.

• ,

• Maria

• ;

• and

Answer explanation

A comma is needed after an introductory dependent clause ('Because the library was closing in five minutes') to separate it from the main clause. The other options create sentence fragments or run-on sentences.

Three of these sentences use a comma to separate an introductory element from the main clause. Which sentence uses a comma for a different reason?

• When the bell rang, the students left the classroom.

• The movie was long, so we left a bit early.

• After the storm passed, a rainbow appeared in the sky.

• Since you asked nicely, I will help you with your project.

Answer explanation

Sentence B uses a comma with the conjunction 'so' to connect two independent clauses. Sentences A, C, and D all use a comma to separate an introductory dependent clause from the main clause.