Commas, Ellipses, & Dashes

1.

Multiple Choice

45 sec

1 pt

A reviewer wrote that the musical was "dazzling, colorful, beautifully performed, and had many outstanding special effects."
Which of the following shows how the author could correctly use an ELLIPSIS to shorten the quote?

A critic wrote that the musical was "dazzling, colorful, and beautifully performed. . . ."

A critic wrote that the musical was "dazzling, colorful, . . . and beautifully performed."

A critic wrote that the musical was "dazzling, colorful, and beautifully . . . performed."

A critic wrote that . . . the musical was "dazzling, colorful, and beautifully performed."

2.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

A(n) _____ is a series of 3 dots ( . . .) that is used when omitting a word, phrase, or line, from a quoted passage.

period

comma

dash

ellipsis

3.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

An ellipsis is used to ___.

shorten a quoted passage by omitting words or phrases

pause or hesitate in the middle of a sentence

indicate an incomplete thought

all answers are correct

4.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

1 pt

A(n) _____ is used to signal an interruption in dialogue AND used to emphasize breaks in thought & shifts in tone.

comma

dash

ellipsis

semicolon

5.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

1 pt

A(n) ____ is used to emphasize the separation of ideas or lists OR to explain, summarize, or illustrate a thought.

question mark

ellipsis

dash

comma

6.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

A(n) ___ is used to set off direct quotations OR to separate 2 or more adjectives

comma

dash

colon

ellipsis

7.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which sentence uses DASHES correctly to explain a thought?

If you need something — call my assistant—Catherine, not Margaret—and she’ll help you.

If you need something, call my assistant—Catherine, not Margaret—and she’ll help you.

If you need something, call my assistant Catherine — not Margaret and she’ll help you.

If you need something, call my assistant Catherine —

8.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which sentence uses DASHES correctly to separate commas?

All four of them—Bob — Jeffrey— Jason — Brett—did well in college.

All four of them Bob — Brett did well in college.

All four — of them Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett—did well in college.

All four of them—Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett—did well in college.

9.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

A comma is used to do all of the following except __.

to separate a subordinate clause from an independent clause at the start of a complex sentence

to shorten a quoted passage by omitting words or phrases

to separate items in a series or a list

to combine 2 independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

10.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which sentence uses a DASH correctly to emphasize breaks in thought & shifts in tone?

I was glad to be home - until I saw the bill in the mailbox.

I was glad - to be home until I saw the bill in the mailbox.

I was glad to be home until I saw - the bill in the mailbox.

I was glad to be home until I saw the bill - in the mailbox.

11.

Multiple Choice

45 sec

1 pt

Which line of dialogue is written correctly?

"I have made up my mind." She said, nodding. "I do not want to marry him."

"I have made up my mind," she said, nodding. "I do not want to marry him."

"I have made up my mind, "she said, nodding." "I do not want to marry him."

"I have made up my mind, she said, nodding." "I do not want to marry him."

12.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which sentence uses COMMAS correctly to set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of the sentence?

Justin who lives down the street from me, is going, to be at the party.

Justin, who lives down the street from me is going to be at the party.

Justin, who lives down the street from me, is going to be at the party.

Justin who lives down the street, from me, is going to be at the party.

13.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which sentence uses a COMMA correctly to set off names in direct address?

Would you please be quiet, Lupe?

Would, you, please be quiet, Lupe?

Would you, please be quiet Lupe?

Would you please, be quiet Lupe?

14.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which quotation uses an ellipsis correctly to indicate Olive's incomplete thought?

“I can't stand . . . Olive."

“I can’t stand that . . . girl."

“I can’t stand that girl . . ."

“I can’t stand that girl,” Olive said. “She’s so . . . I hate her.”

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