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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: BusyTeacher.org
Exercise 1: Comma Usage in Sentences
#### Explanation of Commas:
Commas are used to separate elements in a sentence for clarity and readability. They help to indicate pauses, separate items in a list, set off introductory phrases, and clarify the structure of complex sentences. Below is the analysis of each sentence with justification for comma placement.
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#### Sentences with Commas Added:
1. When going on a trip, I like to take my guitar with me.
- Justification: The phrase "When going on a trip" is an introductory clause that provides context. A comma separates it from the main clause for clarity.
2. I’ve been to France, Germany, China, and Spain.
- Justification: Commas are used to separate items in a list (France, Germany, China, and Spain).
3. Next week I am going to have a party, so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.
- Justification: The conjunction "so" connects two independent clauses. A comma is placed before the conjunction to separate the clauses.
4. There are exactly 4897341 people living in this city, most of whom take a train, a bus, or a tram to work.
- Justification:
- The phrase "most of whom take a train, a bus, or a tram to work" is a non-restrictive clause that provides additional information about the people. It is set off by commas.
- Commas are also used to separate items in the list (train, bus, tram).
5. “Look at this,” he whispered.
- Justification: A comma is placed after the quoted speech to separate it from the dialogue tag ("he whispered").
6. Paulina’s wife, of many years, decided to live in Greece.
- Justification: The phrase "of many years" is a non-essential appositive that provides additional information about Paulina's wife. It is set off by commas.
7. As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway, I was beginning to feel less nervous.
- Justification: The phrase "As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway" is an introductory clause. A comma separates it from the main clause.
8. The thief had very impractical shoes, so he couldn’t run very fast.
- Justification: The conjunction "so" connects two independent clauses. A comma is placed before the conjunction.
9. “I’m warning you,” said the teacher, “don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school.”
- Justification:
- Commas are used to set off the quoted speech from the dialogue tag ("said the teacher").
- Another comma is used within the quote to separate the warning into two parts for emphasis.
10. I dedicate this work to my brothers John Smith and God.
- No comma needed here. This sentence does not require a comma because there is no need to separate elements for clarity.
11. Sarah, the most intelligent pupil in the class, was always late for school.
- Justification: The phrase "the most intelligent pupil in the class" is a non-essential appositive that provides additional information about Sarah. It is set off by commas.
12. I said that she is intelligent, not pretty.
- Justification: The comma separates two contrasting ideas ("intelligent" and "not pretty") for clarity.
13. Once the storm was over, we could sail to the island.
- Justification: The phrase "Once the storm was over" is an introductory clause. A comma separates it from the main clause.
14. Given the terrible weather conditions, it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.
- Justification: The phrase "Given the terrible weather conditions" is an introductory phrase. A comma separates it from the main clause.
15. India, a truly beautiful, interesting and exotic country, is now a popular tourist destination.
- Justification:
- The phrase "a truly beautiful, interesting and exotic country" is a non-essential appositive that provides additional information about India. It is set off by commas.
- Commas are also used to separate adjectives in a series (beautiful, interesting, exotic).
16. During lunch at the campus cafeteria, Henry noticed the dirty tables, the overworked cashiers, and the high prices of food.
- Justification:
- The phrase "During lunch at the campus cafeteria" is an introductory phrase. A comma separates it from the main clause.
- Commas are used to separate items in a list (dirty tables, overworked cashiers, high prices of food).
17. During the race I tried to keep up with Mark who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.
- No comma needed here. The relative clause "who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds" is essential to identify which Mark is being referred to, so no comma is required.
18. To study for the exam Bill drank seven cups of coffee which kept him awake all night.
- No comma needed here. The relative clause "which kept him awake all night" is essential to the meaning of the sentence, so no comma is required.
19. I only earn 2000 USD a month for my hard work, and my wife gets 12000 USD which is not fair.
- Justification: The conjunction "and" connects two independent clauses. A comma is placed before the conjunction.
20. Ron who is 15 was doing his best to win the contest but he failed.
- No comma needed here. The relative clause "who is 15" is essential to identify which Ron is being referred to, so no comma is required.
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Exercise 2: Comma Usage in Text
#### Explanation of Commas:
The text provided is a narrative paragraph. Commas are used to separate clauses, set off introductory phrases, and clarify the flow of ideas. Below is the revised text with commas added where necessary, along with justifications.
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#### Revised Text with Commas:
Last week, I decided to visit my best friend John. He is a very smart, handsome, and kind person, and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week, however, the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job, John had very little free time. Nevertheless, we managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the “Blue Rose” café, which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red green and blue T-shirt, my brown trousers, and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30, and John at 9:45. The waiter who was working that day took our order. We weren’t hungry, so we only ordered drinks. John, who seemed rather tired, told me that his new job was very time-consuming, demanding, and difficult. “I don’t know if I’ll manage to work like that for long,” John said. However, he also admitted that his job had advantages, some of which were: a comfortable working environment, free lunch for each employee, and a salary of over 11000 USD. “That’s a lot of money!” I said. “Do you even know?” I asked, “what to spend it on?” John had no ideas, but if I had that much money, I would probably go on a long holiday, renovate my house, and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast, comfortable, and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work, and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink, John offered to pay for everything, which was very nice of him. “That’s something I can spend my money on,” he said. “I can pay for my friends’ drinks, lunches, and so on.”
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#### Justifications for Commas:
1. "Last week, I decided to visit my best friend John."
- Justification: The introductory phrase "Last week" is separated by a comma.
2. "He is a very smart, handsome, and kind person, and he always manages to find some time for me."
- Justification: Commas are used to separate items in a list (smart, handsome, kind). The conjunction "and" connects two independent clauses, so a comma is placed before it.
3. "Last week, however, the situation was different."
- Justification: The word "however" is a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses. Commas are placed before and after "however" for emphasis.
4. "Because he had just got a new job, John had very little free time."
- Justification: The phrase "Because he had just got a new job" is an introductory clause. A comma separates it from the main clause.
5. "Nevertheless, we managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the ‘Blue Rose’ café, which is said to be owned by a very famous actor."
- Justification:
- A comma is placed after "Nevertheless" as it is an introductory adverb.
- The phrase "which is said to be owned by a very famous actor" is a non-essential appositive that provides additional information about the café. It is set off by commas.
6. "I was wearing my checked red green and blue T-shirt, my brown trousers, and a pair of sneakers."
- Justification: Commas are used to separate items in a list (T-shirt, trousers, sneakers).
7. "I arrived at 9:30, and John at 9:45."
- Justification: The conjunction "and" connects two independent clauses. A comma is placed before the conjunction.
8. "John, who seemed rather tired, told me that his new job was very time-consuming, demanding, and difficult."
- Justification:
- The phrase "who seemed rather tired" is a non-essential appositive that provides additional information about John. It is set off by commas.
- Commas are used to separate items in a list (time-consuming, demanding, difficult).
9. "‘I don’t know if I’ll manage to work like that for long,’ John said."
- Justification: Commas are used to set off the quoted speech from the dialogue tag.
10. "However, he also admitted that his job had advantages, some of which were: a comfortable working environment, free lunch for each employee, and a salary of over 11000 USD."
- Justification:
- A comma is placed after "However" as it is an introductory adverb.
- Commas are used to separate items in a list (comfortable working environment, free lunch, salary).
11. "‘That’s a lot of money!’ I said. ‘Do you even know?’ I asked, ‘what to spend it on?’"
- Justification: Commas are used to set off the quoted speech from the dialogue tags.
12. "John had no ideas, but if I had that much money, I would probably go on a long holiday, renovate my house, and buy a new car."
- Justification:
- The conjunction "but" connects two independent clauses. A comma is placed before the conjunction.
- Commas are used to separate items in a list (holiday, renovate house, buy car).
13. "Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work, and I had a bus back home to catch."
- Justification: The conjunction "and" connects two independent clauses. A comma is placed before the conjunction.
14. "When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink, John offered to pay for everything, which was very nice of him."
- Justification:
- The phrase "When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink" is an introductory clause. A comma separates it from the main clause.
- The phrase "which was very nice of him" is a non-essential appositive that provides additional information. It is set off by commas.
15. "‘That’s something I can spend my money on,’ he said. ‘I can pay for my friends’ drinks, lunches, and so on.’"
- Justification: Commas are used to set off the quoted speech from the dialogue tags.
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Final Answer:
The solutions and explanations for both exercises are provided above. The key is to understand the role of commas in separating clauses, lists, and providing clarity in sentences.
Final Answer: \boxed{\text{See detailed explanations above.}}
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 7th grade punctuation worksheet.