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, which 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.
2. 2.

   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.
3. 3.

   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.
4. 4.

   Luz edits a festival program. The writer wants the extra part to be a quiet aside the reader can skim past. Which version gives that effect?

   • The festival’s final night (the one held in the rain, to the surprise of nobody) drew the biggest crowd of the weekend.
   • The festival’s final night, the one held in the rain, to the surprise of nobody, drew the biggest crowd of the weekend.
   • The festival’s final night—the one held in the rain, to the surprise of nobody—drew the biggest crowd of the weekend.
   • The festival’s final night (the one held in the rain, to the surprise of nobody— drew the biggest crowd of the weekend.
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?

   • No slip: a semicolon before “however” fixes the comma splice completely.
   • The semicolon is right, but “however” still needs a comma after it.
   • 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?

   • A comma still joins two full clauses; a colon should introduce the explanation.
   • No slip: the comma separates the two clauses, so the run-on is now fixed for good.
   • The words “one flaw” should be set off in commas, since they describe the plan in detail.
   • A comma is missing after “plan”, before the verb “has”.
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 comma is missing before “and”, after the word “water”, in the list of supplies.
    • No slip: a semicolon correctly introduces a list of supplies after a verb phrase.
    • A semicolon needs full clauses on both sides; no mark belongs between a verb and objects.
    • The commas in “tents, water and maps” should become semicolons, since they form a list.

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 is right, but the last item still breaks the parallel form of the list.
    • The colon should be a dash, since the list is an aside.
    • 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”.