Understanding Supplements and Clauses

Which sentence contains a dependent clause?

• She finished her homework before dinner.

• Before she finished her homework, she had dinner.

• She had dinner.

• She finished her homework, she ate dinner after.

Which phrase is an example of a nonessential supplement?

• The author who wrote the book is famous.

• The author wrote the book.

• The author, who wrote the book, is famous.

• The book was written by an author.

What punctuation should set off nonessential information?

• Only commas

• Only dashes

• Only parentheses

• Commas, dashes, or parentheses.

Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

• He had one goal: to win the championship.

• He had one goal, to win the championship.

• He had: one goal to win the championship.

• He had one goal—to win the championship.

Which sentence correctly uses a dash?

• The experiment although delayed—was a success.

• The experiment—although delayed—was a success.

• The experiment—although delayed, was a success.

• The experiment, although delayed—was a success.

Where should dashes be placed? "The ancient shipwreck a Roman trading vessel contained hundreds of preserved artifacts."

• After "ancient" and after "shipwreck"

• After "vessel" and after "contained"

• After "shipwreck" and after "vessel"

• After "shipwreck" and after "artifacts"

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential clause?

• My brother who lives in Texas, is visiting next week.

• My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting next week.

• My brother, who lives in Texas is visiting next week.

• My brother who lives in Texas is visiting next week.

Which sentence correctly punctuates the introductory phrase?

• After the meeting we went to lunch.

• After the meeting, we went to lunch.

• After, the meeting we went to lunch.

• After the meeting we, went to lunch.

Which sentence correctly introduces an explanation using a colon?

• There is only one solution: work harder.

• There is only one solution work harder.

• There is only one solution—work harder.

• There is only one solution; work harder.

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off an appositive?

• The scientist Dr. Maria Chen, discovered a new species of coral.

• The scientist, Dr. Maria Chen discovered a new species of coral.

• The scientist, Dr. Maria Chen, discovered a new species of coral.

• The scientist Dr. Maria Chen discovered, a new species of coral.