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2/28/24 - Commas, Dashes, and Non-Restrictive Elements

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 7mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A(n) _____ is used to signal an interruption in dialogue AND used to emphasize breaks in thought & shifts in tone.

a)

comma

b)

dash

c)

ellipsis

2.

A(n) ______ is used to separate commas that contain appositives.

a)

dash

b)

comma

c)

ellipsis

3.

A(n) ____ is used to emphasize the separation of ideas or lists OR to explain, summarize, or illustrate a thought.

a)

comma

b)

ellipsis

c)

dash

4.

A(n) ___ is used to set off direct quotations OR to separate 2 or more adjectives

a)

comma

b)

dash

c)

ellipsis

5.

Which sentence uses DASHES correctly to explain a thought?

a)

If you need something, call my assistant Catherine — not Margaret and she’ll help you.

b)

If you need something, call my assistant—Catherine, not Margaret—and she’ll help you.

6.

Which sentence uses DASHES correctly to separate commas?

a)

All four of them—Bob — Jeffrey— Jason — Brett—did well in college.

b)

All four — of them Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett—did well in college.

c)

All four of them—Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett—did well in college.

7.
A comma is used to do all of the following except __. 
a)
to separate a subordinate clause from an independent clause at the start of a complex sentence
b)
to shorten a quoted passage by omitting words or phrases
c)
to separate items in a series or a list
d)
to combine 2 independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)
8.

Which sentence uses a DASH correctly to emphasize breaks in thought & shifts in tone?

a)

I was glad to be home - until I saw the bill in the mailbox.

b)

I was glad - to be home until I saw the bill in the mailbox.

c)

I was glad to be home until I saw - the bill in the mailbox.

9.

Which sentence uses COMMAS correctly to set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of the sentence?

a)

Justin who lives down the street from me, is going, to be at the party.

b)

Justin, who lives down the street from me is going to be at the party.

c)

Justin, who lives down the street from me, is going to be at the party.

10.

Which sentence uses a COMMA correctly to set off names in direct address?

a)

Would you please be quiet, Lupe?

b)

Lupe would you, please, be quiet?

c)

Would you, please be quiet Lupe?

11.

A restrictive phrase or clause needs commas.

a)

True

b)

False

12.

Identify the phrase or clause:

The soft cartilage that makes up sharks' skeletons dissolves over time.

a)

Nonrestrictive

b)

Restrictive

13.

Identify the phrase or clause:

Many insects become fossilized when they get stuck in amber.

a)

Nonrestrictive

b)

Restrictive

14.

Identify the phrase or clause:

David Shiffler, who was born in 1992, is already a famous fossil finder.

a)

Nonrestrictive

b)

Restrictive

15.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

a)

The person, who writes the best essay, will win a prize

b)

The person who writes the best essay will win a prize.