G6: Adjective Clauses - Commas / No Commas

by Tom Rohrbach

Multiple Choice Quiz

This practice will help you learn how use commas with adjective clauses.

If you choose a wrong answer, you'll see an explanation to help you learn from your mistake.

COMMA RULE	EXAMPLE
SINGULAR
Specific, known > use commas	My iPad, which is brand new, lasts over 11 hours on a battery charge.
The only one > use commas	Venus, which is the same size as the Earth, doesn't have an atmosphere safe for humans.
Noncount general > use commas	Gold, which is worth over $1,200 an ounce, is usually a good investment.

Noncount specific > no commas	The gold that I bought in New York is stored in my bank safe deposit box.
Not known, not specific > no commas	A dog that is running loose in Denver will usually be picked up by Animal Control officers.

PLURAL
All of them? > use commas	The workers, who went on strike, were asking for higher pay and better working conditions.
All in general? > use commas	Elephants, which are 4-legged animals with a trunk and a tail, are often used as transportation in Asia.

Only some special ones? > no commas	The students who failed chemistry class had to go to summer school.

The teacher __ who gave Jimmy an “A” __ didn’t realize he cheated. His other teachers figured it out and failed him.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
At the yard sale, Mrs. Wilson bought the children’s books __ that had lots of pictures.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
Hawaii __ which is my favorite place to go on vacation __ is over 2,000 miles from California.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
The strange pasta __ that Mom made for dinner last night __ is called tortellini.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
Fruit __ which is a great source of Vitamin C and other nutrients __ should be eaten daily.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
The Colorado River __ which flows through five states __ ends in Mexico.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
My family has three dogs. The dog __ that I like the best __ is named “Rover”.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
All the students helped make the birthday poster for their teacher, Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones thanked the students __ who made him feel appreciated with their nice gift.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
Bill Gates __ who started Microsoft with his friend Paul Allen __ never graduated from college.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
I like computers __ which are machines that help humans in many ways.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
Penny enjoyed Paris, but she didn’t enjoy Rome __ which was crowded and noisy when she was there.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
The 1960’s __ which were a wild and creative time in the U.S. __ were famous for drugs and rock ‘n roll music.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
In the Philippines , there was a terrible typhoon __ that destroyed many villages.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
Typhoon Haiyan __ which hit the Philippines in November 2013 __ destroyed tens of thousands of homes and other buildings.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
Jewelry __ which is very popular with women all over the world __ is usually bought by men.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
The jewelry __ which Jonas bought yesterday __ was for his new girlfriend.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
I prefer rice __ that comes from Japan __ to rice grown in America.
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
People __ who get a university degree __ usually make more money than people __ who don’t. (same answer for all 3 blanks)
1. COMMAS
2. no commas
John picked up the iPhone that was on the table. [NO COMMAS]
1. There was only one iPhone in the room.
2. There was more than one iPhone in the room.
John broke the vase, which was sitting on the table by the front door. [COMMA]
1. There was only one vase in the house.
2. There was more than one vase in the house.