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 names the same group, so the part takes a pair of 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 no commas.
   • Without it, the sentence could mean any of the three groups, 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 no commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same library, so the part takes a pair of commas.
   • 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 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 names the same kite, so the part takes no commas.
   • Without it, the sentence could mean any of the three kites, 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 a pair of 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 could mean a different gym, so the part takes no commas.
   • Without it, the sentence names the same 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 a pair of 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. 6.

   The school has one principal. Sentence: The principal [Ms. Dell] opened the assembly. Milo proofreads a newsletter. The facts say whether the bracketed part is extra or needed. Which sentence is punctuated to match?

   • The principal, Ms. Dell, opened the assembly.
   • The principal Ms. Dell opened the assembly.
   • The principal, Ms. Dell opened the assembly.
   • The principal Ms. Dell, opened the assembly.

8. 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.

9. 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.
10. 8.

    The school has one garden. Sentence: The garden [which grows sunflowers] is behind the gym. Pia edits a sentence. The facts show whether the bracketed part is extra or needed. Which version has the right words and commas?

    • The garden, which grows sunflowers, is behind the gym.
    • The garden, which grows sunflowers is behind the gym.
    • The garden that grows sunflowers is behind the gym.
    • The garden, that grows sunflowers, is behind the gym.
11. 9.

    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. 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.

13. 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, which 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.