Test Your Knowledge With This Comma Quiz

This quiz focuses on commas used with two independent clauses. Be sure to read the article “Banish Comma Confusion” first ( https://simplewriting.org/comma-quiz ) and review “The Simple Writing Writer’s Guide.” (It’s free: look to the right of articles.) Then, choose the sentence with correct comma usage. Only one sentence in each item is correct.

You’ll receive your score at the end, and you can take the quiz as many times as you like.

1. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #1

 The band was terrible and I decided to leave early.

 The band was terrible, and I decided to leave early.

 The band was terrible, I decided to leave early.

 The band was terrible and I decided to leave, early.

2. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #1

 

 The lunar eclipse was interesting but, I had to go back to sleep, after staring out the window for awhile.

 The lunar eclipse was interesting, but I had to go back to sleep, after staring out the window for awhile.

 The lunar eclipse was interesting but I had to go back to sleep, after staring out the window for awhile.

 The lunar eclipse was interesting, but I had to go back to sleep after staring out the window for awhile.

3. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #5

 

 On lazy summer afternoons, I enjoy relaxing in the shade with a book and a cool drink.

 On lazy summer afternoons, I enjoy relaxing in the shade, with a book, and a cool drink.

 On lazy summer afternoons I enjoy relaxing in the shade, with a book and a cool drink.

 On lazy summer afternoons, I enjoy relaxing in the shade with a book, and a cool drink.

4. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #4

 

 Some of my friends don’t like to read, and would rather watch TV or play games.

 Some of my friends don’t like to read, and would rather watch TV, or play games.

 Some of my friends don’t like to read and would rather watch TV or play games.

 Some of my friends don’t like to read and would rather watch TV, or play games.

5. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #8

 

 My favorite sweet treats are tiramisu, flan, and vanilla ice cream, with fresh strawberries.

 My favorite sweet treats are tiramisu, flan, and vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries.

 My favorite, sweet, treats are tiramisu, flan, and vanilla ice cream, with fresh strawberries.

 My favorite, sweet treats are tiramisu, flan, and vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries.

6. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #5 and #8

 

 When I eat dinner, at a restaurant I usually choose Italian, Indian, or Thai because they have a lot of non-meat choices.

 When I eat dinner, at a restaurant I usually choose Italian, Indian, or Thai because they have a lot of non-meat choices.

 When I eat dinner at a restaurant, I usually choose Italian, Indian, or Thai because they have a lot of non-meat choices.

 When I eat dinner, at a restaurant I usually choose Italian, Indian, or Thai because they have a lot of non-meat choices.

7. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #4

 

 He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers.

 He also directed feature-length films, and music videos, and designed album covers.

 He also directed feature-length films and music videos and designed album covers.

 He, also, directed feature-length films and music videos and designed album covers.

8. Choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly. See Writer’s Guide #4

 

 She stumbled through the dense undergrowth of the murky forest and sat down on a rotting stump.

 She stumbled through the dense undergrowth of the murky forest, and sat down on a rotting stump.

 She stumbled through the dense undergrowth, of the murky forest, and sat down on a rotting stump.

 She stumbled, through the dense undergrowth of the murky forest, and sat down on a rotting stump.

9. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #5 and #2

 

 During last year’s spring break, I went to a comedy show with some old friends and we laughed so hard, we nearly peed our pants.

 During last year’s spring break, I went to a comedy show with some old friends and we laughed so hard we nearly peed our pants.

 During last year’s spring break, I went to a comedy show with some old friends, and we laughed so hard we nearly peed our pants.

 During last year’s spring break I went to a comedy show, with some old friends, and we laughed so hard, we nearly peed our pants.

10. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #2

 

 The red pickup truck across the street is interesting because it has some sort of fancy hydraulic contraption that lowers it straight to the ground when it’s shut off.

 The red pickup truck across the street is interesting, because it has some sort of fancy hydraulic contraption that lowers it straight to the ground when it’s shut off.

 The red pickup truck across the street is interesting because it has some sort of fancy hydraulic contraption, that lowers it straight to the ground when it’s shut off.

 The red pickup truck across the street is interesting, because it has some sort of fancy hydraulic contraption, that lowers it straight to the ground when it’s shut off.

11. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #5 and #1

 

 Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles, I’m feeling very still and I think my spaceship knows which way to go.

 Though, I’m past one hundred thousand miles, I’m feeling very still and I think my spaceship knows which way to go.

 Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles, I’m feeling very still, and I think my spaceship knows which way to go.

 Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles, I’m feeling very still and I think, my spaceship knows which way to go.

12. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #5 and #8

 

 Before the semester ends I have to write a book-length essay on medical marijuana, give a speech on the benefits of weed for Alzheimer’s patients, and deliver another speech that argues the point in the first speech.

 Before the semester ends I have to write a book-length essay, on medical marijuana, give a speech on the benefits of weed for Alzheimer’s patients, and deliver another speech, that argues the point in the first speech.

 Before the semester ends I have to write a book-length essay on medical marijuana, give a speech, on the benefits of weed for Alzheimer’s patients and deliver another speech, that argues the point in the first speech.

 Before the semester ends, I have to write a book-length essay on medical marijuana, give a speech on the benefits of weed for Alzheimer’s patients, and deliver another speech that argues the point in the first speech.

13. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #5 and #4

 After a long, hot afternoon at the beach, my friend and I strolled around and enjoyed a fabulous dinner on the waterfront.

 After a long, hot afternoon at the beach, my friend and I strolled around, and enjoyed a fabulous dinner on the waterfront.

 After a long, hot afternoon at the beach my friend and I strolled around, and enjoyed a fabulous dinner on the waterfront.

 After a long, hot afternoon at the beach, my friend and I strolled around and, enjoyed a fabulous dinner on the waterfront.

14. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #4 and #1

 

 The big bag of kale in my refrigerator was slowly turning to mush, and taking up too much space, so I finally threw it out.

 The big bag of kale in my refrigerator was slowly turning to mush and taking up too much space, so I finally threw it out.

 The big bag of kale in my refrigerator was slowly turning to mush and taking up too much space so I, finally, threw it out.

 The big bag of kale in my refrigerator was slowly turning to mush and taking up too much space so I finally threw it out.

15. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #1 and #11.2

 

 My professor was outraged when I suggested that Faulkner might not actually be a racist himself, and I unsuccessfully argued at length that the fate of the black protagonist, who suffered a horrible death, might have been (at least in theory) the author’s way of calling attention to the cruelty inflicted on many African-Americans and a means by which to arouse the reader’s compassion and promote better racial relations.

 My professor was outraged when I suggested that Faulkner might not actually be a racist himself, and I unsuccessfully argued at length that, the fate of the black protagonist, who suffered a horrible death, might have been (at least in theory) the author’s way of calling attention to the cruelty inflicted on many African-Americans, and a means by which to arouse the reader’s compassion, and promote better racial relations.

 My professor was outraged when I suggested that Faulkner might not actually be a racist himself and I unsuccessfully argued at length that the fate of the black protagonist, who suffered a horrible death, might have been (at least in theory) the author’s way of calling attention to the cruelty inflicted on many African-Americans and a means by which to arouse the reader’s compassion and promote better racial relations.

 This is a seriously messed-up sentence. It’s way too long, and I don’t see how you expect us to spend all day trying to figure it out.

16. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #5 and #1

 

 Although it might sound strange “dumpster diving” is popular around here, and some people make a full-time living from it.

 Although it might sound strange, “dumpster diving” is popular around here, and some people make a full-time living from it.

 Although it might sound strange, “dumpster diving,” is popular around here and some people make a full-time living from it.

 Although, it might sound strange, “dumpster diving” is popular around here, and some people make a full-time living from it.

17. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #11.2 and #9

 

 The big Victorian house on the corner, which basically looks like almost every other house in Cape May, has shutters painted pale lilac, front steps done up bright yellow and gaudy ribbons tied all over the dark green bannisters along the front porch.

 The big Victorian house on the corner, which basically looks like almost every other house in Cape May, has shutters painted pale lilac, front steps done up bright yellow, and gaudy ribbons tied all over the dark green bannisters along the front porch.

 The big Victorian house on the corner which basically looks like almost every other house in Cape May, has shutters painted pale lilac, front steps done up bright yellow and gaudy ribbons tied all over the dark green bannisters along the front porch.

 The big Victorian house on the corner, which basically looks like almost every other house in Cape May, has shutters painted pale lilac, front steps done up bright yellow, and gaudy ribbons tied all over the dark green bannisters, along the front porch.

18. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #2

 

 He always stocks up on olive oil when he finds a good brand on sale because he uses it often in his delicious pasta dishes.

 He always stocks up on olive oil, when he finds a good brand on sale, because he uses it often in his delicious pasta dishes.

 He always stocks up on olive oil when he finds a good brand on sale, because he uses it often in his delicious pasta dishes.

 He always stocks up on olive oil when he finds a good brand on sale, because he uses it, often, in his delicious pasta dishes.

19. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #1

 

 The animal, crossing the road, looked like a possum but I soon realized it was an armadillo.

 The animal crossing the road looked like a possum, but I soon realized it was an armadillo.

 The animal crossing the road looked like a possum but, I soon realized, it was an armadillo.

 The animal crossing the road looked like a possum but I soon realized it was an armadillo.

20. Choose the sentence with correct comma placement. See Writer’s Guide #5 and #4

 

 Before you start writing a blog post, you should always create a working headline and develop an outline, that supports the promise in your headline.

 Before you start writing a blog post, you should always create a working headline, and develop an outline that supports the promise in your headline.

 Before you start writing a blog post you should always create a working headline, and develop an outline that supports the promise in your headline.

 Before you start writing a blog post, you should always create a working headline and develop an outline that supports the promise in your headline.

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