Mastering Comma Usage for the New SAT

What is the main issue with the comma in the sentence: 'The most popular dog in the United States is the laborator retriever'?

• It separates two independent clauses.

• It separates a dependent clause from an independent clause.

• It separates the subject from the verb.

• It separates an independent clause from a phrase.

In the sentence 'I ate Thanksgiving dinner and fell sleep', what is the correct way to fix the comma issue?

• Add a subject to the second clause.

• Move the comma to after 'dinner'.

• Replace the comma with a period.

• Remove the comma and add a semicolon.

Why is the comma after 'and' in the list 'Heril Piro, Captain Hastings, and inspector' incorrect?

• It is separating two independent clauses.

• It is needed to separate the final element.

• It is unnecessary and disrupts the list.

• It should be a semicolon instead.

What is the correct way to punctuate the sentence: 'Suman Seth, a professor of science and technology studies at Cornell University, wrote a book about Arnold Sommerfeld'?

• Add a comma after 'studies'.

• Keep the commas as they are.

• Move the comma after 'Cornell University'.

• Remove all commas.

What is the rule for using commas with the word 'such as' in a list?

• Never place a comma after 'such as'.

• Place a comma before and after 'such as'.

• It depends on the length of the list.

• Always place a comma after 'such as'.

Which of the following is a misconception about comma usage?

• Commas are used to separate items in a list.

• Commas are used to set off non-essential clauses.

• Commas are used to separate independent clauses.

• Commas are used when the reader pauses or takes a breath.

When should you use a comma to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause?

• When the dependent clause comes first.

• Never, regardless of order.

• When the independent clause comes first.

• Always, regardless of order.

How should you punctuate a sentence with a non-essential clause?

• Use no commas.

• Use one comma before the clause.

• Use two commas to set off the clause.

• Use a semicolon before the clause.

What is the correct way to separate items in a list?

• Use no punctuation between items.

• Use commas between items, but not before 'and'.

• Use semicolons between all items.

• Use commas between all items, including before 'and'.

In the sentence 'The spaces are usually stocked with standard office equipment such as photocopiers, printers, and fax machines', what is the correct punctuation?

• Remove the comma after 'equipment'.

• Add a comma after 'such as'.

• Add a colon after 'such as'.

• Keep the punctuation as it is.