Fixing Comma Splices Quiz

What is a comma splice?

• A sentence that is missing a subject

• Two independent clauses joined only by a comma

• A sentence that uses too many commas

• A dependent clause connected to an independent clause with a comma

Which of the following is the definition of an independent clause?

• A group of words that contains a subject but no verb

• A group of words that depends on another clause to make sense

• A group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought

• A group of words that begins with a subordinating conjunction

Which of the following sentences contains a comma splice?

• Although it was raining, we decided to go outside.

• She loves to read, and she visits the library every week.

• He was tired, he went to bed early.

• We finished our homework before dinner.

Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a comma splice?

• The dog barked loudly, the neighbors complained.

• I forgot my umbrella, it started to rain.

• She studied hard for the test, so she felt confident.

• We ran out of time, we could not finish the project.

Which of the following is a correct way to fix a comma splice?

• Remove one of the independent clauses entirely

• Replace the comma with a coordinating conjunction and keep the comma

• Replace the comma with a semicolon

• Add a subordinating conjunction after the comma

Read the following sentence: "The music was too loud, I could not concentrate on my work." Which revision correctly fixes the comma splice?

• The music was too loud I could not concentrate on my work.

• The music was too loud, but, I could not concentrate on my work.

• Because the music was too loud, I could not concentrate on my work.

• The music was too loud, and, I could not concentrate on my work.

Read the following sentence: "Maya loves painting, she spends hours in her art studio every weekend." Which of the following options correctly fixes the comma splice by using a coordinating conjunction?

• Maya loves painting; she spends hours in her art studio every weekend.

• Maya loves painting, and she spends hours in her art studio every weekend.

• Maya loves painting. She spends hours in her art studio every weekend.

• Although Maya loves painting, she spends hours in her art studio every weekend.

A student wrote the following paragraph: "The cafeteria was crowded, we had to wait in a long line. Finally, we got our food, it was already cold." How many comma splices are present in this paragraph?

• Zero

• One

• Two

• Three

Read the following sentence: "Jordan forgot to charge his phone, it died during the trip, he had no way to contact his friends." Which revision BEST corrects all the errors in this sentence while maintaining the original meaning?

• Jordan forgot to charge his phone it died during the trip he had no way to contact his friends.

• Jordan forgot to charge his phone, so it died during the trip, and he had no way to contact his friends.

• Because Jordan forgot to charge his phone, it died during the trip, and he had no way to contact his friends.

• Jordan forgot to charge his phone, it died during the trip; he had no way to contact his friends.

A student is revising an essay and finds this passage: "The storm knocked out the power, the whole neighborhood went dark. People lit candles, they tried to stay calm, some even gathered outside to talk." The student wants to fix all comma splices while preserving the logical flow and meaning of the passage. Which revision BEST accomplishes this goal?

• The storm knocked out the power the whole neighborhood went dark. People lit candles they tried to stay calm some even gathered outside to talk.

• The storm knocked out the power, and the whole neighborhood went dark. People lit candles, they tried to stay calm, and some even gathered outside to talk.

• The storm knocked out the power, and the whole neighborhood went dark. People lit candles, tried to stay calm, and some even gathered outside to talk.

• The storm knocked out the power, and the whole neighborhood went dark. People lit candles, tried to stay calm, and even gathered outside to talk.