1. Comma Quiz
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2. 1. In theory the dark smoke from the burning oil wells absorbs sunlight and the surrounding air is heated.
In theory, the dark smoke from the burning oil wells absorbs sunlight and the surrounding air is heated.
In theory, the dark smoke from the burning oil wells absorbs sunlight, and the surrounding air is heated.
In theory the dark smoke from the burning oil wells absorbs sunlight, and the surrounding air is heated.

3. Think about this …
Introductory material (“In theory”) needs a comma after it. Also, you need a comma when you use “and” to connect two sentences.
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4. Excellent!
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5. 2. It seems that she answered the question easily but her answer was actually quite complex.

6. Think about this …
When the conjunction “but” is used to join two complete sentences, you must have a comma after the first complete sentence.
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7. Excellent!
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8. 3. Because of mass destruction to the system sewage overflowed and spread diseases.

9. Think about this …
The part of the sentence with “because” is a clause... what needs to separate a dependent clause from its sentence?
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10. Excellent!
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11. 4. I did not want to go to class nor did I want to write that paper.

12. Think about this …
In this example, nor is a conjunction separating two complete sentences.
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13. Excellent!
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14. 5. He could either go to the store or go to the basketball game.

15. Is there a complete sentence after the conjunction?
Think about this …
Is there a complete sentence after the conjunction?
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16. Excellent!
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17. 6. Eventually I got around to finishing the term paper.

18. Introductory material!
Think about this …
Introductory material!
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19. Excellent!
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20. 7. With sweat pouring down his face the point-guard stepped up to the free-throw line.

21. Try again …
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22. Excellent!
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23. 8. Quickly I ran down the street to the corner store.

24. Try again …
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25. Excellent!
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26. 9. At the casino Mike lost his money and his pride.

27. Try again …
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28. Excellent!
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29. 10. Pausing only for a sip of water the runner continued on at an exhausting pace.

30. Try again …
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31. Excellent!
END OF QUIZ!