Commas around extra information

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   The school has three reading groups, and one finished early. Sentence: The group [that finished early] went outside. Ari runs the swap check on the bracketed part. Which choice gives the swap result and the commas it needs?

   • Without it, the sentence could mean any of the three groups, so the part takes no commas.
   • Without it, the sentence could mean any of the three groups, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same group, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same group, so the part takes no commas.
2. 2.

   The town has one library. Sentence: The library [a brick building on Elm Street] opens at nine. Bo runs the swap check on the bracketed part. Which choice gives the swap result and the commas it needs?

   • Without it, the sentence could mean a different library, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same library, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same library, so the part takes no commas.
   • Without it, the sentence could mean a different library, so the part takes no commas.

3. Read this first

   Facts

   The class has three kites, and one is stuck in the tree. Sentence: The kite [stuck in the tree] needs a ladder.

4. 3.

   Esme runs the swap check on the bracketed part. Which choice gives the swap result and the commas it needs?

   • Without it, the sentence could mean any of the three kites, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same kite, so the part takes no commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same kite, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • Without it, the sentence could mean any of the three kites, so the part takes no commas.
5. 4.

   The school has one gym. Sentence: The gym [which has a new floor] opens Monday. Jun runs the swap check on the bracketed part. Which choice gives the swap result and the commas it needs?

   • Without it, the sentence names the same gym, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • Without it, the sentence could mean a different gym, so the part takes no commas.
   • Without it, the sentence could mean a different gym, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same gym, so the part takes no commas.
6. 5.

   The town has one mayor. Sentence: The mayor [who started the book drive] visited the school. Kira proofreads a newsletter. The facts say whether the bracketed part is extra or needed. Which sentence is punctuated to match?

   • The mayor, who started the book drive, visited the school.
   • The mayor who started the book drive visited the school.
   • The mayor who started the book drive, visited the school.
   • The mayor, who started the book drive visited the school.

7. Facts

   Three bikes are parked outside, and one is leaning on the fence. Sentence: The bike [leaning on the fence] belongs to the coach.

8. 6.

   Luz proofreads a newsletter. The facts say whether the bracketed part is extra or needed. Which sentence is punctuated to match?

   • The bike, leaning on the fence, belongs to the coach.
   • The bike leaning on the fence, belongs to the coach.
   • The bike, leaning on the fence belongs to the coach.
   • The bike leaning on the fence belongs to the coach.

9. Facts

   Four helpers work at the fair, and one wears a green apron. Sentence: The helper [who wears a green apron] hands out the maps.

10. 7.

    Noah proofreads a newsletter. The facts say whether the bracketed part is extra or needed. Which sentence is punctuated to match?

    • The helper who wears a green apron hands out, the maps.
    • The helper who wears a green apron hands out the maps.
    • The helper who wears a green apron, hands out the maps.
    • The helper, who wears a green apron, hands out the maps.
11. 8.

    The shelf holds three jars, and one holds buttons. Sentence: The jar [that holds buttons] is on the left. Ren edits a sentence. The facts show whether the bracketed part is extra or needed. Which version has the right words and commas?

    • The jar that holds buttons, is on the left.
    • The jar that holds buttons is on the left.
    • The jar, which holds buttons, is on the left.
    • The jar, that holds buttons is on the left.
12. 9.

    The camp has one shed. Sentence: The shed [which holds the tools] is old. Tala edits a sentence. The facts show whether the bracketed part is extra or needed. Which version has the right words and commas?

    • The shed, which holds the tools, is old.
    • The shed, that holds the tools, is old.
    • The shed that holds the tools is old.
    • The shed, which holds the tools is old.

13. Facts

    Four notebooks sit on the desk, and one has a blue cover. Sentence: The teacher wants the notebook [that has a blue cover] for the lesson.

14. 10.

    Zee edits a sentence. The facts show whether the bracketed part is extra or needed. Which version has the right words and commas?

    • The teacher wants, the notebook that has a blue cover for the lesson.
    • The teacher wants the notebook that has a blue cover for the lesson.
    • The teacher wants the notebook, that has a blue cover for the lesson.
    • The teacher wants the notebook, which has a blue cover, for the lesson.