Winter Weather Parenthetical Punctuation Practice

Which sentence is properly punctuated?

• The car which struggled to gain traction on the icy road slid into the ditch.

• The car, which struggled to gain traction on the icy road, slid into the ditch.

• The car, which struggled to gain traction on the icy road slid into the ditch.

• The car which struggled to gain traction on the icy road, slid into the ditch.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The car, which struggled to gain traction on the icy road, slid into the ditch.' It properly uses commas to set off the non-restrictive clause, clarifying that the information is additional.

Which sentences are properly punctuated? (You may choose more than one.)

• Heavy snow accumulation — a record-breaking amount for December — reached 18 inches overnight.

• Heavy snow accumulation a record-breaking amount, for December, reached 18 inches overnight.

• Heavy snow accumulation a record-breaking amount for December reached 18 inches overnight.

• Heavy snow accumulation, a record-breaking amount for December, reached 18 inches overnight.

Answer explanation

The correct sentences use commas or dashes to set off the phrase 'a record-breaking amount for December,' clarifying that it is additional information about the snow accumulation. The other options are improperly punctuated.

Which sentence is properly punctuated?

• The winter storm warning that was issued this morning will remain in effect until midnight.

• The winter storm warning, that was issued this morning, will remain in effect until midnight.

• The winter storm warning, that was issued this morning will remain in effect, until midnight.

• The winter storm warning, that was issued this morning will remain in effect until midnight.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The winter storm warning that was issued this morning will remain in effect until midnight.' It properly uses a restrictive clause without unnecessary commas, ensuring clarity.

Which sentences are properly punctuated? (You may choose more than one.)

• Ice crystals also known as diamond dust sparkled in the winter sunlight.

• Ice crystals (also known as diamond dust) sparkled in the winter sunlight.

• Ice crystals, also known as diamond dust, sparkled in the winter sunlight.

• Ice crystals also known as diamond dust sparkled—in the winter sunlight.

Answer explanation

The correct sentences use parentheses or commas to set off the phrase 'also known as diamond dust,' clarifying the information. The first and last options lack necessary punctuation, making them incorrect.

Which sentence is properly punctuated?

• The forecast calling for subzero temperatures heavy snow and dangerous wind chills prompted school closures.

• The forecast calling for subzero temperatures, heavy snow, and dangerous wind chills prompted school closures.

• The forecast — calling for subzero temperatures, heavy snow, and dangerous wind chills — prompted school closures.

• The forecast — calling for subzero temperatures heavy snow and dangerous wind chills — prompted school closures.

Answer explanation

The correct choice uses commas to separate items in a list and employs dashes to set off the explanatory phrase, ensuring clarity. The other options either lack necessary commas or misplace dashes.

Which sentence is properly punctuated?

• The children sitting on disc-shaped saucer sleds and traditional toboggans raced down the hill.

• The children, sitting on disc-shaped saucer sleds and traditional toboggans, raced down the hill.

• The children — sitting on disc-shaped saucer sleds and traditional toboggans — raced down the hill.

• The children — sitting on disc-shaped saucer sleds, and traditional toboggans — raced down the hill.

Answer explanation

The correct sentences use commas or dashes to set off the phrase 'sitting on disc-shaped saucer sleds and traditional toboggans,' clarifying that it is additional information about the children. The other options are improperly punctuated.

Which sentence is properly punctuated?

• The avalanche that sent ice, rocks, and trees — barreling down the mountain — was triggered by the blizzard.

• The avalanche that sent ice, rocks, and trees barreling down the mountain was triggered by the blizzard.

• The avalanche — that sent ice, rocks, and trees barreling down the mountain — was triggered by the blizzard.

• The avalanche, that sent ice, rocks, and trees barreling down the mountain, was triggered by the blizzard.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The avalanche that sent ice, rocks, and trees barreling down the mountain was triggered by the blizzard.' It avoids unnecessary commas and dashes, maintaining clarity and proper structure.

Which sentence is properly punctuated?

• The blizzard that moved through the state yesterday — which included snow, freezing rain, and high winds — caused a city-wide power outage.

• The blizzard, that moved through the state yesterday — which included snow, freezing rain, and high winds — caused a city-wide power outage.

• The blizzard that moved through the state yesterday which included snow, freezing rain, and high winds caused a city-wide power outage.

• The blizzard — that moved through the state yesterday, which included snow, freezing rain, and high winds — caused a city-wide power outage.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence uses 'that' to introduce a restrictive clause and properly places dashes around the non-restrictive clause, making it clear that the additional information about the blizzard is not essential to the main point.

Which sentence is properly punctuated?

• The snowman that won the Winter Wonderland Contest has melted.

• The snowman, that won the Winter Wonderland Contest, has melted.

• The snowman that won, the Winter Wonderland Contest, has melted.

• The snowman — that won the Winter Wonderland Contest has melted.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The snowman that won the Winter Wonderland Contest has melted.' It uses a restrictive clause without unnecessary commas, clearly indicating which snowman is being referred to.

Which sentence is properly punctuated?

• Because of the icy roads — especially on bridges and overpasses — all buses have been delayed.

• Because of the icy roads — especially on bridges, and overpasses — all buses have been delayed.

• Because of the icy roads, especially on bridges and overpasses, all buses have been delayed.

• Because of the icy roads especially on bridges and overpasses all buses have been delayed.

Answer explanation

The correct sentences use commas or dashes to set off the phrase 'especially on bridges and overpasses,' clarifying that it is additional information about the icy roads. The other options are improperly punctuated.