Language Arts-PSSA Review: The 2nd Annual Grammar Games-Comma Competition

Question 1

What is a comma

Answer 1

punctuation mark that indicates that a pause is needed in a sentence; a comma clarifies meaning for the reader

Question 2

Independent Clause:

Answer 2

single complete sentence with a subject and verb that forms a complete thought

Question 3

Compound Sentence:

Answer 3

sentence that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction and a comma before said conjuction

Question 4

Coordinating conjunctions

Answer 4

FANBOYS: for; and; nor; but; or; yet; so

Question 5

Dependent clause

Answer 5

subject and verb that cannot stand alone; not a complete sentence; helps clarify and add detail to independent clauses; indentified by dependent clause markers

Question 6

Dependent clause markers:

Answer 6

because; since; when; while; until; if; as; though; although; unless; after; before; once; whether

Question 7

Dependent Clauses serve as an introductory clause:

Answer 7

When a dependent clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, place a comma between independent clause and dependent clause

Question 8

Dependent clause appearing at the end of a sentence:

Answer 8

When a dependent clause is after an independent clause, nod not place a comma between the two.

Question 9

Essential Phrases and Clauses

Answer 9

phrase used to modify a noun; adds information that is critical to the meaning of sentence; not set off by commas; example- The people are very fit. Without the essential phrase (selected between the < and >), it is too vague. Which people?

Question 10

Non-Essential Phrases and Clauses

Answer 10

adds extra information to sentence; can be eliminated without jeopardizing meaning of sentence; set off by commas; example- My brother, who lives across town, plans to throw a party. We still know what the sentence is talking about even if we didn’t have that phrase

Question 11

Interjection:

Answer 11

abrupt comment made specially as an interruption; when at the beginning of sentence, followed by comma

Question 12

Direct Address:

Answer 12

to call a person or group of people to attention by using their name; set off from sentence with a comma

Question 13

The tag Question

Answer 13

Statement followed by a mini question that asks for confirmation; set of by comma.