Commas and dashes around extra words

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   Ari punctuates a district report. The district has nine high schools, and the board ordered cuts at only the three that offer night classes. Which version carries that meaning?

   • The board ordered the high schools that offer night classes to cut their budgets by ten percent a decision the other six schools welcomed with relief.
   • The board ordered the high schools that offer night classes, to cut their budgets by ten percent, a decision the other six schools welcomed with relief.
   • The board ordered the high schools that offer night classes to cut their budgets by ten percent, a decision the other six schools welcomed with relief.
   • The board ordered the high schools, which offer night classes, to cut their budgets by ten percent, a decision the other six schools welcomed with relief.
2. 2.

   Bo punctuates a county bulletin. All four of the county’s libraries lost their funding in March, and every member of the staff was laid off. Which version carries that meaning?

   • The libraries which lost their funding in March will reopen in June, although the staff who were laid off have found other jobs.
   • The libraries, which lost their funding in March will reopen in June, although the staff, who were laid off, have found other jobs.
   • The libraries, which lost their funding in March, will reopen in June, although the staff, who were laid off, have found other jobs.
   • The libraries, which lost their funding in March, will reopen in June, although, the staff, who were laid off, have found other jobs.
3. 3.

   Jun punctuates a town report. The town holds one parade, and the report names the three schools that marched in it. Which version carries that meaning?

   • The parade which ended at the park drew the largest crowd in years, and the three schools that marched in it were honored.
   • The parade, which ended at the park drew the largest crowd in years, and the three schools that marched in it were honored.
   • The parade, which ended at the park, drew the largest crowd in years, and the three schools that marched in it were honored.
   • The parade, which ended at the park, drew the largest crowd in years, and the three schools, that marched in it, were honored.
4. 4.

   Kira edits an editorial. The writer wants the extra part to hit the reader hard, as a point of emphasis. Which version gives that effect?

   • After years of cuts and a failed bond vote, the library—a building that had never once closed in a snowstorm) shut its doors for good.
   • After years of cuts and a failed bond vote, the library (a building that had never once closed in a snowstorm) shut its doors for good.
   • After years of cuts and a failed bond vote, the library, a building that had never once closed in a snowstorm, shut its doors for good.
   • After years of cuts and a failed bond vote, the library—a building that had never once closed in a snowstorm—shut its doors for good.
5. 5.

   Milo edits a school paper. The writer wants two extra parts that add detail without stress or surprise, a plain, even flow. Which version gives that effect?

   • Dr. Patel, who had taught the course for thirty years—finally admitted that the textbook, a gift from the district, was out of date.
   • Dr. Patel (who had taught the course for thirty years) finally admitted that the textbook (a gift from the district) was out of date.
   • Dr. Patel, who had taught the course for thirty years, finally admitted that the textbook, a gift from the district, was out of date.
   • Dr. Patel—who had taught the course for thirty years—finally admitted that the textbook—a gift from the district—was out of date.
6. 6.

   Noah edits a council story. The extra part is a list of three proposals, and the writer wants it to stand out sharply. Which version separates it most clearly?

   • The mayor’s three proposals—a new bridge, a longer bike path, and a free ferry, each lost the council vote.
   • The mayor’s three proposals, a new bridge, a longer bike path, and a free ferry, each lost the council vote.
   • The mayor’s three proposals (a new bridge, a longer bike path, and a free ferry) each lost the council vote.
   • The mayor’s three proposals—a new bridge, a longer bike path, and a free ferry—each lost the council vote.

7. Read this first

   Draft

   The vote was close, however the mayor demanded a recount.
   Revision: The vote was close; however the mayor demanded a recount.

8. 7.

   Pia compares a draft with its revision. The writer tried to fix a comma splice. Which statement names the flaw that remains?

   • The semicolon is right, but “however” still needs a comma after it.
   • No slip: a semicolon before “however” fixes the comma splice completely.
   • A comma is missing after “recount”, at the end of the sentence.
   • The semicolon should be a comma, because “however” joins the two clauses.
9. 8.

   The plan has one flaw it ignores the winter. Revision: The plan has one flaw, it ignores the winter. Ren compares a draft with its revision. The writer tried to fix a run-on. Which statement names the flaw that remains?

   • No slip: the comma separates the two clauses, so the run-on is now fixed for good.
   • A comma still joins two full clauses; a colon should introduce the explanation.
   • A comma is missing after “plan”, before the verb “has”.
   • The words “one flaw” should be set off in commas, since they describe the plan in detail.
10. 9.

    The camp supplies: tents, water and maps. Revision: The camp supplies; tents, water and maps. Tala compares a draft with its revision. The writer tried to fix a misplaced colon. Which statement names the flaw that remains?

    • A semicolon needs full clauses on both sides; no mark belongs between a verb and objects.
    • A comma is missing before “and”, after the word “water”, in the list of supplies.
    • The commas in “tents, water and maps” should become semicolons, since they form a list.
    • No slip: a semicolon correctly introduces a list of supplies after a verb phrase.

11. Draft

    The coach praised three things, the team’s effort, its patience, and that they never quit.
    Revision: The coach praised three things: the team’s effort, its patience, and that they never quit.

12. 10.

    Zee compares a draft with its revision. The writer added a colon before a list. Which statement names the flaw that remains?

    • The colon should be a dash, since the list is an aside.
    • The colon is right, but the last item still breaks the parallel form of the list.
    • No slip: a colon correctly introduces the list of three things after a full clause.
    • A comma is missing after “patience”, before the word “and”.