PARCC Comma 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly punctuates the date?
- She was born on July 4 1990 in Texas.
- She was born on July 4, 1990, in Texas. (Correct answer)
- She was born on July, 4 1990 in Texas.
- She was born on July 4 1990, in Texas.
Correct answer: She was born on July 4, 1990, in Texas.
Commas separate the day from the year and the year from the rest of the sentence.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly punctuates the city and state?
- We moved to Denver, Colorado, last spring. (Correct answer)
- We moved to Denver Colorado last spring.
- We moved to Denver, Colorado last spring.
- We moved to Denver Colorado, last spring.
Correct answer: We moved to Denver, Colorado, last spring.
Commas go after both the city and the state when it appears mid-sentence.
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a quotation?
- She said "I am ready."
- She said, "I am ready." (Correct answer)
- She, said "I am ready."
- She said "I am ready",.
Correct answer: She said, "I am ready."
A comma precedes a direct quotation that follows a speaking verb.
Question 4: Which sentence correctly punctuates an appositive?
- My teacher Mr. Lee is strict.
- My teacher, Mr. Lee, is strict. (Correct answer)
- My teacher Mr. Lee, is strict.
- My teacher, Mr. Lee is strict.
Correct answer: My teacher, Mr. Lee, is strict.
A nonessential appositive renaming the noun is set off by commas.
Question 5: Where is a comma needed? 'The store was closed however the cafe was open.'
- No comma needed
- Use a semicolon before 'however' and comma after (Correct answer)
- After 'closed' only
- After 'cafe' only
Correct answer: Use a semicolon before 'however' and comma after
A conjunctive adverb joining two clauses takes a semicolon before and a comma after.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory clause?
- When the bell rang students left.
- When the bell rang, students left. (Correct answer)
- When the bell, rang students left.
- When, the bell rang students left.
Correct answer: When the bell rang, students left.
A dependent introductory clause is followed by a comma.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly punctuates a tag question?
- You're coming aren't you?
- You're coming, aren't you? (Correct answer)
- You're, coming aren't you?
- You're coming aren't, you?
Correct answer: You're coming, aren't you?
A tag question is separated from the main statement by a comma.
PARCC Comma 3
Which sentence correctly punctuates the date?