DIRECTIONS:
1. In TWELVE of the sentences, insert a comma to separate the independent clauses. (12 points)
*Copy and paste the entire sentence into the box.
*You may only add EXACTLY one comma.
2. In THREE of the sentences, a comma is not required. Write none in the box. (3 points)
Ancient Greek mythology tells of many great heroes but the greatest of all must surely be Heracles.
This mighty warrior’s father was Zeus and his mother was a mortal woman named Alcmene.
Many Greek mythological figures were characterized as the children of gods and mortals and were known as “demigods.”
Zeus’s wife Hera became angry when she learned of the baby born to a mortal woman.
Zeus named his son Heracles (“glory of Hera”) but the jealous queen of the gods hated her namesake.
Hera sent two snakes to strangle the baby Heracles in his crib but Heracles awoke and squeezed the life out of the snakes.
From that moment on, people expected marvelous things from the amazing baby and he grew into the world’s most powerful man.
Alcmene’s husband was King Amphitrion and he taught the young Heracles how to box, wrestle, and make war.
Eurystheus was King of Mycenae but his subject Heracles was much better known and more respected.
Eurystheus grew jealous of Heracles’ fame and ordered him to perform twelve impossibly difficult tasks.
The king hoped that Heracles would be killed performing the dangerous tasks but even these duties proved no match for the great hero.
The tasks Heracles performed have become known as the Twelve Labors of Hercules and any task that seems almost impossibly difficult is today known as “Herculean.”
Heracles submitted to the king’s command and the first labor he performed was to slay the dreaded lion of Nemea.
The lion could not be killed with weapons but Heracles caught it and strangled it with his bare hands.
Heracles next killed the fearsome nine-headed Hydra and then he captured alive the golden-horned Hind (deer) of Mount Cerynea.
DIRECTIONS:
1. In TEN of the sentences, insert commas wherever necessary. (10 points)
*Copy and paste the entire sentence into the box and then add in the commas.
2. FIVE of the sentences are correct. For those sentences, write none in the box. (5 points)
Monday was a cold and damp and dreary day.
In the North American habitat at the zoo, the class saw mountain lions wolves coyotes and badgers.
As Jeanette walked down the block, she passed the shoe repair, the laundromat, and the bakery.
Snow and sleet and fog delayed us on our drive through New York state.
Leah Seth and Tom are collaborating on a mural depicting the lives of African Americans just after the Civil War.
The crazy cat raced around the room out the front door and up a tree.
Chet didn’t know who the lady was what she wanted or where she lived.
Matt opened his backpack and took out a tiny lantern a cook kit and a waterproof container of matches.
Heat the skillet over moderate heat add the hamburger patties and cook them for five minutes on each side.
The editorial said that the 200-year-old trees are valuable irreplaceable natural resources.
On Saturday morning I need to mow the lawn pull the weeds and sweep the front porch.
My brother is training for a triathlon that includes swimming, bicycling, and running.
Yvonne enjoyed the movie because it starred her favorite actor it was set in a small town like her own and it accurately portrayed high school life.
When we went on the owl walk, we took a flashlight a tape recorder and a notebook.
Tess shrieked when she saw the long, coiled, hissing snake.
DIRECTIONS:
1. In TEN of the sentences, insert commas wherever necessary. (10 points)
*Copy and paste the entire sentence into the box and then add in the commas.
*You may only add one or two commas to your answer.
*Look at the underlined portion of the sentence for guidance.
2. FIVE of the sentences are correct. For those sentences, write none in the box. (5 points)
We have had our boat a sixteen-foot aluminum canoe for over twenty years.
There’s a particular kind of fish the mullet that frequently jumps out of the water.
Watching the sunset Frank saw a flock of pelicans fly overhead.
John Kennedy the popular US president was known for his eloquent and inspirational speeches.
People who do not learn from their mistakes are bound to fail.
Ezra Blung the guy seated next to me wouldn’t stop talking.
People demanding special treatment make me angry.
His brother who is a health nut runs five miles a day.
Alas I am lost in the wilderness.
Anthony however decided not to go to the beach with us.
A friend of mine that lives in Boston loves the seafood there.
Alan Lomax always fascinated by roots music first recorded the bluesman Lead Belly.
The woman who did not attend the meeting said that she had to study for her chemistry exam.
West Point cadets who break the honor code are expelled.
Raul's wife Conchita is president of the local Red Cross.