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Keep the Highest 3.8 out of 43.8 / 4
Attempt3 score is3.8
3.2
9 . Commas for Items in a Series
Commas are frequently misused by writers of all ages. However, if you remember a few clear rules,
you will be on your way to comma mastery.
Commas for Items in a Series
Getting Started: Read the healthy recipe that follows. Some of the steps include sentences with correct
commas between items in a series. Other steps display incorrect comma use. Look carefully at the
recipe and answer the question.
Rule: Use commas to separate three or more words,
phrases, or clauses written in a series or list.
Example: Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and
Marilyn Monroe all topped the "Richest Dead
Celebrities" list this year.
Explanation: In the example, the names of the three
dead celebrities must be separated by commas.
Notice, you do put a comma before the word and to
show the reader that the last two names in the list
are
different from each other.
Rule: Do not use commas when
words, phrases, or clauses are
connected by and or or.
Example: I don't want to sit next to
Carla or Mindy or Frannie.
Explanation: In the example, the
names of the three women (Carla,
Mindy, and Frannie) are not separated
by commas because they are
separated by the word or.
Which of the following steps in the recipe are punctuated correctly? Pay attention to commas that
separate items in a list. Check all that apply.
Step 5
Step 3
Step 2
Step 1
Points:
0.75 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Correct Sentence
Step 1: Peel, clean, and rinse
shrimp. Set aside.
Step 2: Place cilantro, salt, garlic,
Explanation
Step 1 is punctuated incorrectly in the recipe. You must
use commas to separate the three steps for preparing the
shrimp.
Step 2 is correctly punctuated in the recipe. The four
Correct Sentence
and parsley in a blender. Blend
until smooth.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a frying
pan over medium heat for two
minutes.
Step 5: Toss cilantro sauce onto
shrimp, stir, and serve
immediately over brown rice.
Explanation
different ingredients in the list are separated by
commas, and there is a correctly placed comma before
the final and.
Step 3 is correctly punctuated in the recipe. There are
no items in a list in this sentence, and there is no need
for commas.
Step 5 is punctuated incorrectly in the recipe because it
is missing a comma before the and.
Applying Concepts: Read the following paragraph, which does not have proper commas. For the
questions that follow, choose which revision of each sentence uses commas correctly. Remember,
use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series or list.
Unreal Perfection
(1) Most people realize when they look at fashion magazines that the pictures are not totally
"real." (2) Retouching software can shave 20 pounds from a photo of a celebrity make models look
flawless and even make a person's eyes look wider. (3) Several websites have started to identify
images that they consider to be altered unrealistic or unhealthy. (4) Health officials in France have
actually started a campaign to force magazines to make a note of when and how images have been
changed. (5) The American Society of Magazine Editors shot down a similar proposal. (6) Celebrities
like Kate Winslet Andy Roddick and Faith Hill have publicly commented on retouched photographs of
themselves. (7) However, it seems that a certain part of the American public actually enjoys the
fantasy of this kind of perfection, no matter how "unreal" they know it to be.
Source: Wilson, Eric. "Smile and Say 'No Photoshop.'" Fashion and Style, The New York Times, 27 May 2009. 28 Jan. 2010.
Which is the correct version of sentence 2?
Retouching software can shave 20 pounds from a photo of a celebrity, make models look flawless,
and even make a person's eyes look wider.
Retouching software can shave 20 pounds, from a photo of a celebrity make models, look flawless and
even, make a person's eyes look wider.
Retouching software can shave 20 pounds from a photo of a celebrity make models look flawless and
even make a person's eyes look wider.
Points:
1 / 1
Which is the correct version of sentence 3?
Several websites have started to identify images that they consider to be altered, unrealistic, or
unhealthy.
Several websites have started to identify images that they consider to be altered unrealistic or,
unhealthy.
Several websites have started to identify images that they consider to be altered unrealistic or
unhealthy.
Points:
1 / 1
Which is the correct version of sentence 4?
Health officials in France have actually started a campaign to force magazines to make a note of,
when, and how images have been changed.
Health officials in France have actually started a campaign to force magazines to make a note of, when
and how images, have been changed.
Health officials in France have actually started a campaign to force magazines to make a note of
when and how images have been changed.
Points:
1 / 1
Which is the correct version of sentence 6?
Celebrities like Kate Winslet Andy Roddick and Faith Hill have publicly, commented, on, retouched
photographs of themselves.
Celebrities like Kate Winslet Andy Roddick and Faith Hill have publicly commented on retouched
photographs of themselves.
Celebrities like Kate Winslet, Andy Roddick, and Faith Hill have publicly commented on retouched
photographs of themselves.
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Correct Sentence
(2) Retouching software can shave 20
pounds from a photo of a celebrity, make
models look flawless, and even make a
person's eyes look wider.
(3) Several websites have started to identify
images that they consider to be
altered, unrealistic, or unhealthy.
(4) Health officials in France have actually
started a campaign to force magazines to
make a note of when and how images have
Explanation
Three different effects that retouching
software can have are separated by commas.
There is a correctly placed comma before
the and.
Three different adjectives to describe the
changed images are separated by commas.
There is a correctly placed comma before the
word or.
This is the version of the sentence that appears
originally in the paragraph. You do not need to
use commas because there are not three or
Correct Sentence
been changed.
(6) Celebrities like Kate Winslet, Andy
Roddick, and Faith Hill have publicly
commented on retouched photographs of
themselves.
Explanation
more words, phrases, or clauses written in a
series or list.
The three different celebrity names are
separated by commas. There is a correctly
placed comma before the word and.
