Comma Splice Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. In “When the lab closed, we returned the next morning,” what feature prevents the comma from creating a splice?
The two parts refer to events occurring on different days.
The subject of the opening words is understood rather than stated.
The comma follows a clause that could stand alone as a sentence.
The opening words form a dependent clause introduced by “when.”
2. What is a comma splice?
A comma separating three or more items in a series
A comma following a dependent introductory clause
A comma used by itself to join two independent clauses
A comma separating coordinate adjectives before a noun
3. In “The roads were icy, school opened late,” which mark can directly replace the comma to retain one sentence containing both independent clauses?
A semicolon
A period
A second comma
No punctuation mark
4. Which edit correctly uses a coordinating conjunction to preserve the contrast in “The forecast predicted sun, rain fell all afternoon”?
The forecast predicted sun, but rain fell all afternoon.
Although the forecast predicted sun, but rain fell all afternoon.
The forecast predicted sun; rain fell all afternoon.
The forecast predicted sun, however, rain fell all afternoon.
5. Read the passage: (1) At noon, clouds gathered. (2) Because the wind increased, flags snapped sharply. (3) Rain began, the courtyard emptied. (4) We closed the windows, and Dana moved the chairs inside. Which sentence needs a comma-splice repair?
Sentence 1
Sentence 3
Sentence 2
Sentence 4
6. Complete the repair: “The battery was empty, ___ the camera would not start.” Which word can follow the comma and correctly join the clauses?
therefore
so
consequently
however
7. An editor wants to repair “The printer is out of paper, we cannot finish the handouts” with a semicolon. Which revision succeeds?
The printer is out of paper; we cannot finish the handouts.
The handouts remain unfinished, the printer has no paper.
Because the paper tray is empty; finishing the handouts is impossible.
Without paper; the printer cannot produce our handouts.
8. How should “The bell rang, the students packed their books” be classified as written?
A sentence fragment caused by a missing main clause
A comma splice joining two independent clauses
A fused sentence with no punctuation between its clauses
A correct compound sentence containing a coordinating conjunction
9. Revise “The sidewalk was wet, it had rained overnight” so that the cause becomes a dependent clause introduced by “because.”
Because the sidewalk was wet, rain must have fallen overnight.
The sidewalk was wet; because rain fell overnight.
The sidewalk was wet because it had rained overnight.
Rain fell overnight, because the sidewalk was wet.
10. The sentence “The meeting ended, everyone gathered in the hall” must become two complete sentences. Which edit meets that requirement?
Once the meeting ended, everyone gathered in the hall.
After the meeting ended. Everyone gathered in the hall.
The meeting ended; the group gathered in the hall.
The meeting ended. Everyone gathered in the hall.
11. Select the line in which two complete thoughts are incorrectly joined by only a comma.
The café was crowded, but we found a table near the door.
Although the café was crowded, we found a table near the door.
The café was crowded, we found a table near the door.
The crowded café had one available table near the door.
12. Compare A: “The lights flickered, the room became dark.” B: “When the lights flickered, the room became dark.” Why does only A have a comma splice?
A joins two independent clauses with only a comma, while B begins with a dependent clause.
A uses a past-tense verb in each clause, while B uses only one tense.
B is correct because sentences beginning with “when” never require punctuation checks.
B turns both parts into fragments by adding a subordinating conjunction.
13. An editor reads “Maya packed a lunch, she forgot to bring it.” What is the specific error?
A sentence fragment follows an introductory phrase.
A coordinating conjunction is preceded by an unnecessary comma.
A dependent clause is missing its subject.
Two independent clauses are joined by only a comma.
14. A writer submits “I wanted to leave, however, the storm blocked the road.” Why does an editor flag it as a comma splice?
The word “however” may appear only at the beginning of a paragraph.
The clause about the storm is dependent and cannot stand alone.
“However” is not a coordinating conjunction, so commas alone cannot join the independent clauses.
A contrast between two ideas must always be written as two separate sentences.
15. Which option uses “however” as a conjunctive adverb between two independent clauses with the required punctuation?
Despite looking short, the route took two hours.
However short the route looked, it took two hours.
The route looked short, however it required two hours.
The route looked short; however, it took two hours.
16. Why is the comma acceptable in “Although the train was late, we reached the theater on time”?
Any clause about time may be followed by a comma.
The opening clause is dependent, so the comma is not joining two independent clauses.
Both clauses have the same implied subject.
The word “although” functions as a coordinating conjunction.