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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > English Language Arts

Ace Your ACT Comma Practice Quiz

Improve sentence clarity with targeted practice questions.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Best Club MgsUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 11
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art illustrating a trivia quiz on ACT Comma Mastery for high school students.

This ACT comma practice quiz helps you master comma rules on the ACT English test and fix common errors. Answer 20 short questions, see which rules you miss with clear tips, and spot gaps before the exam so you know what to review next.

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence using the serial (Oxford) comma.
We packed sandwiches, fruit, and water for the trip.
We packed sandwiches, fruit and water for the trip.
We packed sandwiches, fruit and, water for the trip.
We packed sandwiches fruit, and water for the trip.
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Select the sentence that correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) to join two independent clauses.
Lena studied for hours but she, still felt nervous.
Lena studied for hours but she still felt, nervous.
Lena studied for hours but, she still felt nervous.
Lena studied for hours, but she still felt nervous.
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Choose the sentence that correctly avoids a comma with a compound predicate (same subject, two verbs).
Carlos, opened the window and looked outside.
Carlos opened, the window and looked outside.
Carlos opened the window and looked outside.
Carlos opened the window, and looked outside.
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Select the sentence that correctly places a comma after a short introductory word.
Yes I can, help you with the project.
Yes I, can help you with the project.
Yes, I can help you with the project.
Yes I can help you with the project.
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Choose the correctly punctuated sentence with an introductory dependent clause.
Because the rain stopped we, continued the game.
Because the rain stopped, we continued the game.
Because the rain stopped we continued the game.
Because, the rain stopped we continued the game.
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Select the sentence that correctly sets off a nonessential appositive with commas.
My brother Jason, is visiting this weekend.
My brother Jason is visiting this weekend.
My brother, Jason is visiting this weekend.
My brother, Jason, is visiting this weekend.
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Choose the correctly punctuated sentence with direct address.
Could you, Jordan, help me move this?
Could, you Jordan, help me move this?
Could you Jordan, help me move this?
Could you, Jordan help me move this?
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Choose the sentence that correctly avoids commas around an essential appositive.
The novel, The Giver, is often assigned in schools.
The novel, The Giver is often assigned in schools.
The poet, Robert Frost, wrote "Mending Wall."
The novel The Giver is often assigned in schools.
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Select the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential relative clause.
The car, that is parked outside, belongs to Maya.
The car that is parked outside belongs to Maya.
The car which is parked outside belongs, to Maya.
The car, which is parked outside, belongs to Maya.
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Choose the sentence that correctly avoids a comma with cumulative (non-coordinate) adjectives.
They adopted, a playful golden retriever puppy.
They adopted a playful golden, retriever puppy.
They adopted a playful, golden retriever puppy.
They adopted a playful golden retriever puppy.
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Select the sentence that correctly punctuates items in a series where one item already contains a conjunction.
For lunch, I had soup bread and butter, and tea.
For lunch I had soup, bread, and butter and, tea.
For lunch I had soup, bread and butter and tea.
For lunch I had soup, bread and butter, and tea.
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Select the sentence that correctly uses commas around a parenthetical transition in the middle of a sentence.
The team however will travel tomorrow.
The team however, will travel tomorrow.
The team, however, will travel tomorrow.
The team, however will travel tomorrow.
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Choose the sentence that correctly avoids a comma before a restrictive that-clause.
The article, that I sent you explains the policy.
The article that I sent you, explains the policy.
The article that I sent you explains the policy.
The article, that I sent you, explains the policy.
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Select the sentence that correctly uses commas for contrast with not...but.
The solution, is not complex but elegant.
The solution is not, complex but elegant.
The solution is not complex, but elegant.
The solution is not complex but, elegant.
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Select the sentence that correctly uses commas around an absolute phrase.
Her voice steady she began, the speech.
Her voice, steady she began the speech.
Her voice steady, she began the speech.
Her voice, steady she, began the speech.
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Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas around a parenthetical date and title after a name.
Dr. Maria Gomez PhD, presented her findings on June 1, 2023.
Dr. Maria Gomez, PhD presented her findings on June 1 2023.
Dr. Maria Gomez PhD presented her findings on June 1, 2023.
Dr. Maria Gomez, PhD, presented her findings on June 1, 2023.
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Select the sentence that correctly uses a comma before a contrasting while clause.
I like tea, while I prefer coffee.
I like tea while, I prefer coffee.
While I like tea I prefer coffee.
I like tea, while, I prefer coffee.
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Choose the sentence that correctly punctuates a name with Jr. in the middle of a sentence.
Darius, Jr., won the award.
Darius Jr., won the award.
Darius Jr. won the award.
Darius, Jr. won the award.
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Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas around a mid-sentence appositive with multiple words.
Our coach Ms. Thompson who started last year is strict.
Our coach, Ms. Thompson, who started last year, is strict.
Our coach, Ms. Thompson who started last year, is strict.
Our coach Ms. Thompson, who started last year is strict.
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Select the sentence that correctly punctuates two independent clauses joined by however as a conjunctive adverb.
We planned to go, however we stayed home.
We planned to go; however, we stayed home.
We planned to go however, we stayed home.
We planned to go however we, stayed home.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify and apply rules for comma placement in compound and complex sentences.
  2. Analyze sentences to detect common punctuation errors related to comma usage.
  3. Evaluate the impact of correct comma placement on sentence clarity and meaning.
  4. Practice revising sentences to incorporate accurate comma usage in standardized exam contexts.
  5. Utilize targeted practice questions to build confidence in applying comma rules on the ACT.

ACT Comma Practice Cheat Sheet

  1. Oxford comma magic - When you list three or more items, use the Oxford comma before "and" or "or" to keep things crystal clear, like in "apples, oranges, and bananas." This little comma is a superhero for clarity and can save sentences from chaos. Explore Oxford commas
  2. Conjunction Connection - Slide a comma right before your FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when they're joining two complete thoughts, such as "I wanted to go hiking, but it was raining." This trick keeps your sentences from running into each other like wild teenagers at a party. Master FANBOYS rules
  3. Non-essential clause commas - Wrap non-essential bits in commas when adding extra flavor without changing the sentence's core meaning, like "My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting." It tells you more about the noun without messing up the main idea. Set off non-essential info
  4. Intro comma fun - After you lead with a phrase or clause, drop a comma before you jump into the main action, as in "After the meeting, we went to lunch." It's like the drumroll before the main event! Intro phrase guide
  5. Mind the verb gap - Never wedge a comma between the subject and its verb - "The teacher, gave us homework" is a no‑go. Keep them tight like best friends: "The teacher gave us homework." Subject‑verb commas
  6. Preposition precision - Skip commas around simple prepositions unless you're introducing a non‑essential clause. Don't do "She is interested in, art." Just say "She is interested in art." Keep it sleek! Preposition comma tips
  7. Adjective tag‑team - Use commas between adjectives that independently describe a noun - you can test by adding "and" in between, like "a long, difficult journey" (you could also say "long and difficult journey"). It's teamwork for your adjectives! Coordinate adjectives
  8. Appositive accents - When a noun or phrase renames another noun non‑essentially, frame it with commas: "My friend, a talented musician, is performing tonight." It adds flair without changing the core meaning. Appositive comma rules
  9. Date delimiters - Use commas to split the day and year, and after the year when the date is mid‑sentence: "On July 4, 1776, the Declaration was signed." This makes your historical facts pop without a stumble. Comma rules for dates
  10. Bye‑bye comma splices - Avoid gluing two independent clauses with just a comma (that's a comma splice!). Instead, grab a semicolon, period, or a coordinating conjunction: "I was tired, so I went to bed." Your sentences will thank you. Fix comma splices
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