This quiz works best with JavaScript enabled. Home > English Grammar > Grammar > Punctuation > Parenthetical Elements – Quiz 1 🏠 Homepage 📘 Download PDF Books 📕 Premium PDF Books Parenthetical Elements Quiz 1 (60 MCQs) Quiz Instructions Select an option to see the correct answer instantly. 1. What does a nonrestrictive element do? A) Connects two clauses. B) Limits meaning. C) Adds a nonessential detail. D) Replaces the main verb. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Adds a nonessential detail. 2. Choose the correct way to write the sentence. A) A tsunami is a series of waves, it can move too shore at high speeds. B) A tsunami is a series of waves. it can move to shore at high speeds. C) A tsunami is a series of waves, it can move too shore at high speeds. D) A tsunami is a series of waves, and it can move to shore at high speeds. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) A tsunami is a series of waves, and it can move to shore at high speeds. 3. What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence?I was startled when the movie started because it was so loud! A) Because it was so loud!. B) When the movie started. C) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. D) I was startled. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. 4. Dr. Jonas Salk 1914-1995 discovered a cure for polio. A) Salk (1914-1995) discovered. B) Salk-1914-1995-discovered. C) Salk, (1914-1995), discovered. D) Salk 1914-1995, discovered. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Salk (1914-1995) discovered. 5. My brother who lives in Minneapolis is a pilot. A) Correct. B) Incorrect. C) All the above. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Incorrect. 6. True or False. If the parenthetical element is at the end of the sentence, add either the comma, parentheses mark or dash and then a period. A) True. B) False. C) Sometimes. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) False. 7. Which rule does this dash follow in this sentence?I was getting angry now. "All I know is, I kill some bull guy ..... ""Don't talk like that!" Annabeth told me (86). A) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. B) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). C) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. D) A hesitating speech like stuttering. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). 8. Indeed when we see animals depicted in well-known works of art, the image of dogs playing poker-popularized in a series of paintings by American artist C. M. Coolidge, may be the first and only one that comes to mind. A) Coolidge-. B) No change. C) Coolidge;. D) Coolidge. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Coolidge-. 9. Which answer choice correctly uses parentheses to set off the nonrestrictive elements in this sentence? Circle a number between 1 poor and 10 excellent on the chart. A) Circle a number between 1 (poor) and 10 (excellent) on the chart. B) (Circle a number) between 1 poor and 10 excellent on the chart. C) Circle a number (between 1 poor) and 10 excellent on the chart. D) Circle a number between 1 poor and 10 (excellent on the chart.). Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Circle a number between 1 (poor) and 10 (excellent) on the chart. 10. What is a common error when punctuating nonessential phrases? A) Run-on sentences. B) Mismatched or missing marks. C) Missing subject. D) Misused colon. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Mismatched or missing marks. 11. What is the correct rule for punctuating nonessential phrases in the middle of a sentence? A) Commas and parentheses are correct, but not dashes. B) Using different punctuation marks to open and close them is okay. C) Use matching commas, dashes, or parentheses around them. D) Semicolons can be used to enclose nonessential phrases. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Use matching commas, dashes, or parentheses around them. 12. Identify the sentence with the correct use of parenthetical elements. A) My brother, who is a doctor works at the local hospital. B) My brother who is a doctor works, at the local hospital. C) My brother who, is a doctor, works at the local hospital. D) My brother, who is a doctor, works at the local hospital. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) My brother, who is a doctor, works at the local hospital. 13. Which sentence correctly uses commas to add a parenthetical element? A) The dragon, wings stretched wide, soared above the clouds. B) The dragon (wings stretched wide) soared above the clouds. C) The dragon-wings stretched wide-soared above the clouds. D) The dragon wings stretched wide soared above the clouds. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) The dragon, wings stretched wide, soared above the clouds. 14. What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence?The mouse ran under the table to hide from the homeowner. A) The mouse. B) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. C) Ran under the table. D) To hide from the homeowner. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. 15. Identify the sentence with the correct use of commas for a parenthetical element. A) The restaurant, famous for its pasta was fully booked. B) The restaurant, famous for its pasta, was fully booked. C) The restaurant famous for its pasta was fully booked. D) The restaurant famous, for its pasta, was fully booked. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) The restaurant, famous for its pasta, was fully booked. 16. At medical school, Salk began researching influenza the virus that causes the flu. A) Influenza-the virus-that causes the flu. B) Influenza (the virus) that causes the flu. C) Influenza the virus, that causes the flu. D) Influenza, the virus that causes the flu. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Influenza, the virus that causes the flu. 17. The following year, 1558, Mary died in an influenza epidemic, and Elizabeth, then twenty-four, assumed the throne of England. A) NO CHANGE. B) 1558, and. C) 1558;. D) 1558. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) NO CHANGE. 18. Both the cats and the key, which I have been looking for all day, was/were under the table. A) Was. B) Were. C) All the above. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Were. 19. On the TSIA2, which punctuation mark is the most tested for nonessential phrases? A) Dash-. B) Parenthesis (. C) Comma,. D) Colon:. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Comma,. 20. Originally servants of the court, minstrels were wildly popular medieval performers, ..... whose songs told stories of distant locations or historical events. A) No change. B) Court, minstrels, were wildly popular medieval performers. C) Court, minstrels were wildly popular medieval performers. D) Court-minstrels were wildly popular medieval performers,. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Court, minstrels were wildly popular medieval performers. 21. How often should you use dashes and parentheses when adding extra information in your writing? A) Use dashes and parentheses more than commas to make your writing stand out. B) Use commas most of the time; dashes and parentheses should be used rarely for effect. C) Use all three equally in every sentence. D) Never use commas-only dashes and parentheses for parenthetical elements. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Use commas most of the time; dashes and parentheses should be used rarely for effect. 22. Read the sentence. Which sentence contains a nonrestrictive, or parenthetical, element? A) If you'd come home when I asked-instead of stopping to buy candy-we wouldn't have missed the bus. B) We wouldn't have missed the bus if you hadn't stopped to buy candy, but had come home when I asked. C) All the above. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) If you'd come home when I asked-instead of stopping to buy candy-we wouldn't have missed the bus. 23. Ballads can be long or short, but most rely on varying verses that alternate with an unchanging refrain or, chorus, to tell a story. A) NO CHANGE. B) Refrain or, chorus to. C) Refrain or chorus to,. D) Refrain, or chorus, to. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Refrain, or chorus, to. 24. Which rule does this dash follow in this sentence?He had blue eyes ..... at least a dozen of them ..... on his cheeks, his forehead, the backs of his hands (57). A) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. B) A hesitating speech like stuttering. C) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. D) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). Show Answer Correct Answer: C) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. 25. I hate it when my printer is working fine and then, without warning, ..... it just stops cooperating! A) Then without warning,. B) Then, without warning. C) No change. D) Then without warning. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) No change. 26. Hong Kong, a former British colony was returned to China after 100 years. A) No change. B) Kong, a former British colony,. C) Kong-a former British colony,. D) Kong a former British colony. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Kong, a former British colony,. 27. Identify correct punctuation with an appositive. A) The app a new restaurant guide, went viral. B) The app-a new restaurant guide, went viral. C) The app, a new restaurant guide, went viral. D) The app (a new restaurant guide, went viral. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) The app, a new restaurant guide, went viral. 28. Carrara marble-which has been quarried for over two thousand years, ..... has had many famous applications, including the Pantheon and Michelangelo's David. A) No change. B) Years). C) Years. D) Years-. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Years-. 29. Which rule does this dash follow in this sentence?"What is this place? What am I doing here? Mr. Brun ..... Chiron ..... why would you go to Yancy Academy just to teach me?" (66). A) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. B) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). C) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. D) A hesitating speech like stuttering. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) A hesitating speech like stuttering. 30. Three of us kids excitedly took our places in line for the roller coaster, but Ray, being too young to ride had to settle for an ice cream with Mom instead. A) Ray, being too young, to ride. B) Ray, being too young to ride,. C) Ray being too young to ride,. D) NO CHANGE. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Ray, being too young to ride,. 31. I will go to the store later, to buy some groceries, and see / sees an old friend. A) See. B) Sees. C) All the above. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) See. 32. Why might an author use dashes instead of commas or parentheses? A) To shorten long paragraphs. B) To remove unnecessary words. C) To add emphasis or emotion. D) To fix run-on sentences. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) To add emphasis or emotion. 33. What should you use around the italics? Fred my friend is 50 years old. A) Commas. B) Parentheses. C) Dashes. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Commas. 34. Teenagers, who recently had difficulty on the job search) are finding it easier to gain employment this summer. A) Search-. B) Search,. C) No change. D) Search. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Search,. 35. Which rule does this dash follow in this sentence?"Metaphysical? But you were just talking about ..... " (67)."Ah, gods, plural ..... " A) A hesitating speech like stuttering. B) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. C) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. D) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). Show Answer Correct Answer: D) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). 36. Which rule does this dash follow in this sentence?"But Zeus and Poseidon ..... they both had, like, a bazillion kids in the myths. Why are the cabins empty?" (66). A) A hesitating speech like stuttering. B) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. C) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. D) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). Show Answer Correct Answer: B) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. 37. Which sentence uses commas correctly to include a parenthetical element? A) The concert, which was amazing, lasted for three hours. B) The concert which, was amazing, lasted for three hours. C) The concert which was amazing lasted for three hours. D) The concert, which was amazing lasted for three hours. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) The concert, which was amazing, lasted for three hours. 38. Commas and dashes are used to "set off" information that is nonessential to understanding the rest of the sentence. A) True. B) False. C) Sometimes. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) False. 39. The mechanic, not the one that is on the other side of the beautiful parks, is/are closed today. A) Is. B) Are. C) All the above. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Is. 40. Use parentheses when "setting off" something that reminds the reader of what he or she may already know. A) True. B) False. C) Sometimes. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) True. 41. Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation for parenthetical elements. A) The car, a red convertible, sped down the highway. B) The car a red convertible, sped down the highway. C) The car a red, convertible, sped down the highway. D) The car, a red convertible sped down the highway. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) The car, a red convertible, sped down the highway. 42. According to the American Bar Association clinical experience is crucial to a law student's development during law school. A) Association clinical experience is crucial,. B) Association, clinical experience is crucial,. C) No change. D) Association, clinical experience is crucial. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Association, clinical experience is crucial. 43. Neither one, in my opinion possessed the leadership skills or the commitment necessary to be the club president. A) NO CHANGE. B) Neither one in my opinion,. C) Neither one in my opinion;. D) Neither one, in my opinion,. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Neither one, in my opinion,. 44. Which sentence does not show punctuation balance? A) The car (freshly painted) gleamed. B) The car-freshly painted-gleamed. C) The car, freshly painted, gleamed. D) The car (freshly painted)-gleamed. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) The car (freshly painted)-gleamed. 45. Which rule does this dash follow in this sentence?"I'm ..... I'm the worst satyr in the world" (59). A) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. B) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. C) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). D) A hesitating speech like stuttering. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) A hesitating speech like stuttering. 46. Which answer choice correctly uses parentheses to set off the parenthetical elements in this sentence?D-Day June 6, 1944 was the day the Allies invaded Normandy. A) (D-Day) June 6, 1944 was the day the Allies invaded Normandy. B) D-Day June 6, 1944 was the day (the Allies) invaded Normandy. C) D-Day June 6, 1944 was the day the Allies (invaded Normandy). D) D-Day (June 6, 1944) was the day the Allies invaded Normandy. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) D-Day (June 6, 1944) was the day the Allies invaded Normandy. 47. What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence?The doctor the one who performed three brain operations in one day works at Methodist hospital. A) The doctor. B) Works at Methodist hospital. C) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. D) The one who performed three brain operations in one day. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) The one who performed three brain operations in one day. 48. Which answer choice correctly uses parentheses to set off the nonrestrictive elements in this sentence? My great grandfather born in 1914 is turning 100 this year. A) (My great grandfather) born in 1914 is turning 100 this year. B) My great grandfather (born in 1914) is turning 100 this year. C) My great grandfather born in (1914) is turning (100) this year. D) My great grandfather born in 1914 is turning (100) this year. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) My great grandfather (born in 1914) is turning 100 this year. 49. Which rule does this dash follow in this sentence?"Unless you want to get skewered by your friends in cabin five. Here ..... Chiron thought these would fit. You'll be on border patrol" (118). A) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). B) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. C) A hesitating speech like stuttering. D) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. 50. Which sentence contains a nonrestrictive (removable) element? A) The girl who found the cave was brave. B) The cookies, still warm from the oven, smelled amazing. C) The book with the red cover belongs to my friend. D) The cookies that I made yesterday are on the table. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) The cookies, still warm from the oven, smelled amazing. 51. What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence?It was a cold and windy April day in Rosendale. A) In Rosendale. B) It was. C) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. D) A cold and windy April day. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. 52. Which answer choice correctly uses dashes to set off the parenthetical elements in this sentence?My dad who beat cancer a few years ago is a successful lawyer. A) My dad who beat cancer a few years ago is a successful lawyer. B) My dad who beat cancer a few years ago is a successful lawyer. C) My dad who beat cancer a few years ago is a successful lawyer. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) My dad who beat cancer a few years ago is a successful lawyer. 53. What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence? The oldest living turtle lived over 140 years as far as we know. A) Lived over 140 years. B) As far as we know. C) The oldest living turtle. D) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) As far as we know. 54. What should you use around the italics? Kobe Bryant 1978-2020 was more than just a ballplayer. A) Commas. B) Parentheses. C) Dashes. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Parentheses. 55. Use dashes when "setting off" dates. A) True. B) False. C) Sometimes. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) False. 56. Which uses commas correctly for extra information? A) The essay (which was long, was due. B) The essay that, was long, was due. C) The essay that was long was due. D) The essay, which was long, was due. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) The essay, which was long, was due. 57. Which rule does this dash follow in this sentence?And there it was again ..... distant thunder on a cloudless day (67). A) A hesitating speech like stuttering. B) A pause in speech to signify a heavier emphasis on nearby words. C) An abrupt stop of a sentence (like getting cut-off). D) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) An interruption in thought/speech to give EXTRA INFO/Side comment. 58. Social media, admittedly seems like a rather inconsequential topic for the board of directors' meeting tomorrow. A) Social media admittedly, seems. B) Social media, admittedly, seems. C) NO CHANGE. D) Social media admittedly seems. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Social media, admittedly, seems. 59. What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence? My two brothers Kyle and Jerod are in town for Thanksgiving weekend. A) Kyle and Jerod. B) Are in town for Thanksgiving weekend. C) My two brothers. D) There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Kyle and Jerod. 60. The concert, which was held outdoors, was/were canceled due to inclement weather. A) Was. B) Were. C) All the above. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Was. 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