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Conventions Of Usage – Quiz 1
Conventions Of Usage Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates students' understanding of comma usage in complex and compound sentences, including lists, modifying phrases, and conjunctions. It also assesses their ability to use contractions correctly and understand subject-verb agreement with singular and plural possessives.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
Where should the comma(s) go?Mason joined the basketball team and made some awesome layups.
A) After "Mason".
B) After "team".
C) After "awesome"after "Mason" AND after "team".
D) No comma necessary.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Mason joined the basketball team and made some awesome layups" is a simple sentence that contains two related independent clauses connected by the coordinating conjunction "and." In such cases, no comma is necessary between the clauses. Commas are not required to separate elements in this type of construction.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Placing a comma after "Mason" would create an incomplete sentence.
Option B:
Incorrect. Inserting a comma after "team" would also result in an incomplete sentence structure.
Option C:
Incorrect. Adding commas after both "Mason" and "team" is unnecessary and would disrupt the sentence flow.
Option D:
Correct. No comma is necessary to properly construct this sentence.
2.
Add commas:Planted in early spring the seeds soon sprouted.
A) Planted, in early spring, the seeds soon sprouted.
B) Planted in early spring the seeds, soon sprouted.
C) No commas.
D) Planted in early spring, the seeds soon sprouted.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is D) Planted in early spring, the seeds soon sprouted. This option correctly uses a comma to separate the introductory phrase "Planted in early spring" from the main clause "the seeds soon sprouted." The comma helps improve readability and clarity.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Unnecessary comma after "spring," which is not required for this sentence structure.
Option B:
No comma, making the sentence run-on without proper separation of ideas.
Option C:
No commas, potentially leading to unclear meaning and poor readability.
Option D:
Correct use of a comma for clarity and improved sentence structure.
3.
Which comma rule applies to the sentence below:I went to the store and bought tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash.
A) Commas to offset appositives.
B) Commas to separate adjectives.
C) Commas for introductory phrases.
D) Commas for items in a series.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I went to the store and bought tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash." uses commas to separate items in a list. This is a common usage rule known as the serial comma (also called the Oxford comma), which helps clarify that each item is distinct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Appositives provide additional information but do not require commas to separate them in this context.
Option B:
Incorrect. Adjectives modify nouns and are not typically separated by commas unless they are of the "of" construction or there's a pause between them for emphasis.
Option C:
Incorrect. The phrase "I went to the store and bought" is an introductory clause, but it does not require a comma in this sentence structure.
Option D:
Correct. Commas are used here to separate items in a series of nouns.
4.
Which word or words should a comma come after in the sentence?Johnny Kevin Sam and Aydan are playing football.
A) Kevin and Aydan.
B) Johnny, Kevin, and Sam.
C) Aydan.
D) Playing.
Show Answer
Explanations:
In the sentence "Johnny Kevin Sam and Aydan are playing football," a comma should come after listing three of the four names to separate them from the last name, as it is a list of more than two items. Therefore, the correct answer is
B) Johnny, Kevin, and Sam.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. It lists only two names with "and" before the last name, which does not require a comma after the first name in this context.
Option B:
Correct. Comma usage is appropriate for listing three of four names before "and."
Option C:
Incorrect. Only one name requires no comma and uses "and" with the last name.
Option D:
Incorrect. The verb phrase does not require a comma in this sentence structure.
5.
Choose the correct word for the following sentence:(Their/ there/ they're) textbooks were found in the gym.
A) Their.
B) There.
C) They're.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct word to use in the sentence is "Their." This is because "Their" is a possessive pronoun indicating that the textbooks belong to them (the students or people referred to as "they"). The other options do not fit grammatically: "There" refers to a place, and "They're" is a contraction for "they are," neither of which makes sense in this context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Their textbooks were found in the gym." This sentence is grammatically correct.
Option B:
Incorrect. "There textbooks were found in the gym." This does not make sense as "there" refers to a location, not possession.
Option C:
Incorrect. "They're textbooks were found in the gym." This is a contraction meaning "they are," which doesn't fit the sentence structure.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one correct option exists (A).
6.
The (girls'/girl's) uniform were finally ordered. They cannot wait until the uniforms arrive.
A) Girls'.
B) Girl's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Girls'.
The possessive form "Girls'" indicates that the uniform belongs to the girls collectively, which is appropriate in this context. Using "Girl's" would imply a singular possession, which does not fit the scenario of multiple girls.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Indicates collective ownership.
Option B:
Incorrect. Suggests singular possession, which is inappropriate here.
Option C:
Incorrect. "All the above" cannot be correct since only one option is accurate.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
7.
Find the correct version of the following sentence:Chris best friend borrowed his headphones for the entire field trip.
A) No change.
B) Chris best friend's borrowed his headphones for the entire field trip.
C) Chris' best friend borrowed his headphones for the entire field trip.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because it properly uses the possessive form "Chris'" to indicate that the best friend belongs to Chris, and the sentence structure is grammatically correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No change. This option suggests no modification, which does not address the need for a possessive form.
Option B:
Chris best friend's borrowed his headphones for the entire field trip. This incorrectly uses "Chris best friend's" as if it were a single entity's possession.
Option C:
Chris' best friend borrowed his headphones for the entire field trip. This is grammatically correct, using the possessive form properly.
Option D:
None of the above. This option would only be correct if none of the other options were accurate, but Option C is indeed correct.
8.
Choose the correct word for the sentence below.Mrs. Williams would like to give (your/you're) company the loan.
A) Your.
B) You're.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Your" is the possessive form of "you," and it correctly indicates that Mrs. Williams would like to give a loan to the company she is addressing.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Your" shows possession, meaning the loan is intended for the company being addressed.
Option B:
Incorrect. "You're" is a contraction of "you are," which does not fit grammatically in this context.
Option C:
Incorrect. Only option A is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. Option A is the correct choice.
9.
How many sentences those a paragraph have?
A) 3.
B) 5.
C) 8.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
A paragraph typically contains several sentences that work together to develop a single idea. The number of sentences in a paragraph can vary, but five sentences are often considered a good average length for clarity and coherence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
3 sentences - Too short for most paragraphs.
Option B:
5 sentences - Correct; this is an average paragraph length.
Option C:
8 sentences - Can be correct, but not the standard average.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect since Option B is correct.
10.
Choose the correct word for the sentence below:If (its/ it's) okay with you, I would rather stay home tonight.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"it's" is the contraction of "it is," which functions as a pronoun in this sentence, making it suitable for the context where a subject and verb are combined into one word. "Its" would be used to show possession (e.g., "its okay"), but here we need a pronoun-verb combination.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Its" is a possessive pronoun and does not function as a contraction.
Option B:
Correct. "It's" is the contraction of "it is," fitting the sentence structure.
Option C:
Incorrect. Both "its" and "it's" are singular, so they cannot both be correct in this context.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one option (B) is correct.
11.
Benjamin Banneker, African-American inventor and astronomer, grew up on his familys' farm in colonial Maryland.
A) No change.
B) Families.
C) Family's.
D) Families'.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) Family's.
The possessive form "Family's" indicates that the farm belongs to Benjamin Banneker's family, which is grammatically accurate in this context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No change. Incorrect as it suggests no modification needed, but a possessive form is required.
Option B:
Families. Incorrect as it does not indicate possession and would imply multiple families.
Option C:
Family's. Correct as it properly shows the farm belongs to Benjamin Banneker’s family.
Option D:
Families'. Incorrect as it is a misspelling of "Family's."
12.
Choose the correct version of the sentence below:I wanted to go to Johns party, but Beverlys car broke down.
A) I wanted to go to John's party, but Beverlys' car broke down.
B) I wanted to go to Johns' party, but Beverly's car broke down.
C) Correct as is.
D) I wanted to go to John's party, but Beverly's car broke down.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option D is correct because it properly uses possessive apostrophes for both names: "John's" and "Beverly's." The apostrophe in "John's" shows possession by John, while the apostrophe in "Beverly's" indicates that the car belongs to Beverly.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; "Johns'" is not a proper possessive form for either name.
Option B:
Incorrect; "Johns'" is used instead of "John's," and the apostrophe in "Beverlys'" is misplaced, making it look like a contraction or plural rather than a singular possessive noun.
Option C:
Incorrect; no explanation provided, so we cannot assume this option is correct without analysis.
Option D:
Correct as explained above.
13.
Which comma rule applies to the sentence below:The man walked in the snow, ran through the rain, and finally reached his final destination.
A) To set off appositives.
B) To separate adjectives.
C) Introductory phrases.
D) Items in a series.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The man walked in the snow, ran through the rain, and finally reached his final destination" uses commas to separate items in a series of actions performed by the man. This is a classic example of using commas to list multiple related elements without conjunctions between them.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Appositives are not present in this sentence.
Option B:
Incorrect. Adjectives are not being separated by commas here.
Option C:
Incorrect. There is no introductory phrase that requires a comma to separate it from the main clause.
Option D:
Correct. Commas are used to separate items in a series of actions.
14.
Choose the correct word for the following sentence:North Carolina is known for (it's/ its) varied landscape and prospering communities.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct word to use in the sentence is "its" because it is a possessive pronoun, indicating that the landscape and communities belong to North Carolina. The contraction "it's" means "it is" or "it has," which does not fit grammatically in this context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Its" is a possessive pronoun, showing ownership.
Option B:
Incorrect. "It's" means "it is" or "it has," which does not fit the sentence structure.
Option C:
Incorrect. Only one of the options can be correct in this case.
Option D:
Incorrect. The correct option exists among the given choices.
15.
Which word or words should a comma come after in the sentence?Michael loves to eat large gigantic apples.
A) No comma.
B) Loves.
C) Large.
D) Michael.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Michael loves to eat large gigantic apples" contains a descriptive phrase ("large gigantic") that modifies the noun "apples." In such cases, commas are used to separate non-essential descriptive elements from the main clause. Here, "large" is part of this descriptive phrase and should be followed by a comma.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No comma. Incorrect as it does not follow the rule for separating descriptive phrases.
Option B:
Loves. Incorrect as "loves" is part of the main clause and not a point of punctuation.
Option C:
Large. Correct, as "large" is part of the descriptive phrase that should be separated by a comma from the main verb "loves."
Option D:
Michael. Incorrect as "Michael" is the subject and does not require a comma.
16.
Choose the correct word for the sentence below:The dog buried (its/ it's) bone in my garden.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Its.
The word "its" is a possessive pronoun, indicating that the bone belongs to the dog. In contrast, "it's" is a contraction of "it is," which does not fit in this context as there is no verb following it.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Its" functions as a possessive pronoun.
Option B:
Incorrect. "It's" means "it is," which does not fit grammatically here.
Option C:
Incorrect. Only one option can be correct in this case.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
17.
Which comma rule applies to the sentence below:The tall, plump cat jumped on the back of the couch.
A) Commas for items in a series.
B) Commas for direct quotes.
C) Commas with introductory sentences.
D) Commas to separate adjectives.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The tall, plump cat jumped on the back of the couch" uses two adjectives, "tall" and "plump," to describe the noun "cat." In English grammar, it is common practice to separate these adjectives with a comma when they both modify the same noun. This rule helps improve readability by clearly distinguishing between the different descriptors.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Commas are not used for items in a series in this sentence.
Option B:
Incorrect. There are no direct quotes in the sentence.
Option C:
Incorrect. The sentence does not have an introductory clause that requires a comma.
Option D:
Correct. Commas separate adjectives when both modify the same noun and follow a specific order (e.g., size, shape, age, color, origin, material, purpose).
18.
Which word or words should a comma come after in the sentence?An angry tiger a mean lion and a furious zebra ran towards our bus.
A) Angry.
B) Lion.
C) Tiger and lion.
D) Furious.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence lists three nouns joined by coordinating conjunctions: "tiger," "lion," and "zebra." Each noun phrase should be separated by commas to ensure proper list formatting in English grammar. Therefore, a comma should come after both "tiger" and "lion."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Only one word is involved.
Option B:
Incorrect. Only one word is involved.
Option C:
Correct. Both "tiger" and "lion" are needed to separate the items in the list properly.
Option D:
Incorrect. Only one word is involved.
19.
Choose the correct word for the following sentence:(Their/ they're/ there) will be many opportunities to pass this class if you try.
A) Their.
B) They're.
C) There.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct word to use in the sentence is "there." The sentence requires a demonstrative adjective that introduces a location where opportunities will be available. "There" serves this purpose correctly, indicating the existence of opportunities at some place or time.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Their - Incorrect. "Their" is possessive and does not fit grammatically in this context.
Option B:
They're - Incorrect. "They're" is a contraction for "they are," which doesn't make sense in the sentence structure.
Option C:
There - Correct. "There" properly introduces the location of opportunities.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect, as "there" is the correct choice.
20.
Where should the comma(s) go?The giant sequoia trees have been growing for hundreds of years but they have not been cut down because the national park system protects them.
A) After "years".
B) After "years" AND after "down".
C) After "down".
D) No comma necessary.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The claimed correct answer is A) After "years". This comma separates two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction "but". The first clause ends after "years", and a comma is needed before "but" to properly separate these two ideas.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Comma after "years" for separation of independent clauses.
Option B:
Incorrect. Adding another comma after "down" is unnecessary and would create a run-on sentence.
Option C:
Incorrect. No comma is needed after "down".
Option D:
Incorrect. A comma is necessary to separate the two independent clauses.
21.
Add commas:They washed vegetables they baked chicken and they packed a picnic basket.
A) They washed vegetables, they baked chicken, and they packed a picnic basket.
B) They washed vegetables they, baked chicken, and they packed a picnic basket.
C) They washed vegetables, they baked chicken and, they packed a picnic basket.
D) No commas.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is A: "They washed vegetables, they baked chicken, and they packed a picnic basket." This option uses commas to separate the three distinct actions performed by the subject. Each clause describes a different activity, and proper comma usage ensures clarity in the sentence structure.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct use of commas for listing multiple actions.
Option B:
Incorrect placement of commas; "they" is unnecessary after the first clause.
Option C:
Commas are misplaced, and the repetition of "they" disrupts flow.
Option D:
No commas used, making the sentence difficult to read and understand.
22.
Refer to the section in red:When I got there, I had to wait forever to see him when he finally examined my teeth, he found four cavities.
A) No change.
B) Him. When.
C) Him, when.
D) Him and when.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) Him. When.
This option correctly separates the two clauses with a comma and uses "him" as the proper pronoun to refer back to the subject "he." The phrase "When I got there, I had to wait forever" is an introductory clause that should be separated from the main clause by a comma.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No change. Incorrect as it does not address the need for a comma and proper pronoun use.
Option B:
Him. When. Correct as it properly uses "him" and adds necessary punctuation.
Option C:
Him, when. Incorrect as it omits the period needed to separate two independent clauses.
Option D:
Him and when. Incorrect as it incorrectly combines elements without proper punctuation or structure.
23.
Which word or words should a comma come after in the sentence?Joe drove to the store picked up the Chinese food and returned to his job.
A) Store.
B) Drove.
C) Store and food.
D) No comma.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Joe drove to the store picked up the Chinese food and returned to his job." requires commas after "store" and "food" because these are items in a series that should be separated for clarity. The correct comma placement helps distinguish between actions and objects.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Comma is needed after "store".
Option B:
Incorrect. Comma is needed after "food" as well.
Option C:
Correct. Commas are required after both "store" and "food" to separate items in a series.
Option D:
Incorrect. Commas are necessary for clarity in the sentence.
24.
Choose the correct word for the following sentence:The school needs to update (it's/its) Twitter feed.
A) It's.
B) Its.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) Its.
The word "its" is a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership without an apostrophe. In the sentence, "its Twitter feed" shows that the Twitter feed belongs to the school.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
It's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," which does not fit in this context as there is no verb form needed.
Option B:
Correct, as it indicates possession without an apostrophe.
Option C:
Incorrect because both options A and B are wrong individually; only one can be correct.
Option D:
Not applicable since there is a correct answer among the choices provided.
25.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A) Before the storm began I latched all of the windows tight.
B) Before the storm began, I latched all of the windows tight.
C) Before, the storm began, I latched all of the windows tight.
D) Before the storm began, I latched, all of, the windows tight.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B is correct because it properly uses a comma to separate the introductory phrase "Before the storm began" from the main clause "I latched all of the windows tight." This follows the rule that commas should be used to set off introductory elements in a sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No comma is needed here as the introductory phrase is short and does not require separation.
Option C:
The comma before "the storm began" is unnecessary, making this option incorrect. Additionally, a comma should follow "tight" to separate it from the end of the sentence.
Option D:
This option incorrectly places commas around "all of," and does not properly punctuate the end of the sentence with another comma or period.
26.
Choose the correct word for the following sentence:Because (your/you're) team captain, it's (your/you're) responsibility to get everyone ready.
A) Your/ your.
B) Your/ you're.
C) You're/ your.
D) You're/ you're.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Because you're team captain, it's your responsibility to get everyone ready."
- "You're" is a contraction of "you are," which should be used in the sentence as part of an independent clause.
- "Your" is possessive and correctly modifies "responsibility."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Both words are wrong.
Option B:
Incorrect. "You're" should be used instead of "your."
Option C:
Correct. "You're" is a contraction for "you are," and "your" correctly modifies "responsibility."
Option D:
Incorrect. Both words are wrong.
27.
Which word or words should a comma come after in the sentence?Sam ate ice cream cake and pizza at the party.
A) Ate.
B) Ice cream and cake.
C) The.
D) Sam.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Sam ate ice cream cake and pizza at the party" contains a compound object ("ice cream cake and pizza"). In such cases, a comma is used to separate items in a list when they are joined by conjunctions like "and." Therefore, the correct answer is
B) Ice cream and cake.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Ate" is not where a comma should be placed.
Option B:
Correct. Comma needed between "ice cream cake" and "and pizza."
Option C:
Incorrect. The article "the" does not require a comma in this context.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Sam" is the subject and does not need a comma following it.
28.
Which word or words should a comma come after in the sentence?She likes the grand majestic sound of the orchestra.
A) Sound.
B) Likes.
C) Grand.
D) The.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The word "grand" is an adjective modifying the noun "sound," and it provides additional descriptive information that can be set off by a comma in this sentence. This usage follows the rule for non-essential, or non-restrictive, modifiers.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Sound - Not applicable; "sound" is not a modifier but the noun being modified.
Option B:
Likes - The main verb and does not require a comma after it in this context.
Option C:
Grand - Correct. "Grand" provides additional descriptive information that can be set off by a comma.
Option D:
The - Not applicable; the article "the" is part of the noun phrase and does not require a comma after it in this context.
29.
Which comma rule applies to the sentence below:The water's edge looked menacingly, but the road looked worse.
A) Commas with introductory phrases.
B) Commas to separate adjectives.
C) Commas with conjunctions.
D) Commas used with dialogue.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The water's edge looked menacingly, but the road looked worse." uses a coordinating conjunction ("but") to connect two independent clauses. In such cases, a comma is required before the conjunction to separate the clauses properly. This rule aligns with Option C: Commas with conjunctions.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; this option applies when an introductory phrase precedes the main clause.
Option B:
Incorrect; this option is for separating adjectives in a series, not conjunctions.
Option C:
Correct; commas are used before conjunctions to separate independent clauses.
Option D:
Incorrect; this option pertains to dialogue, which is not present in the given sentence.
30.
Choose the correct word for the following sentence:If you look over (their/ they're/ there), you will find the stack of papers.
A) Their.
B) They're.
C) There.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct word to use in the sentence is "there." The phrase "look over there" means to look at a place, which indicates a location. In this context, "their" (possessive form) and "they're" (contraction of 'they are') do not fit because they refer to possession or a subject-verb combination, respectively.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Their" is used for possession, which does not make sense in this context.
Option B:
Incorrect. "They're" means 'they are,' and it doesn't fit the sentence structure here.
Option C:
Correct. "There" indicates a location where something can be found, fitting the meaning of the sentence.
Option D:
Not applicable as one of the given options is correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules for using commas in lists?
Commas separate items in a list, typically following each item except before the final "and" or "or." This rule helps improve readability and clarity in sentences.
When should I use commas with conjunctions?
Commas are necessary before coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) when they connect two independent clauses. However, no comma is needed if the conjunction joins elements within a single clause.
How do possessive nouns and apostrophes work?
Possessive nouns show ownership and are formed by adding 's to singular nouns or an apostrophe-s to plural nouns. Apostrophes also indicate contractions, where letters are omitted from a word.
What is the difference between a modifying phrase and a non-essential modifier?
A modifying phrase provides additional information about a noun, while a non-essential modifier can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence. Commas are often used to set off non-essential modifiers.
How do I identify and use possessive pronouns correctly?
Possessive pronouns like mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs show ownership without a noun. They are used in sentences to avoid repetition of the noun they modify.