ACT English Quiz: Commas
20 questions · exam conditions
0:00
CommasQuestion 1 of 20

The museum's new exhibit traces the history of street photography, from bulky early cameras to today's phone snapshots. As I walked through the rooms, I noticed how often the best images were unplanned. A child laughed, a commuter yawned, a dog tugged at its leash. In the final gallery I lingered over a photo that captured all three moments at once.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

NO CHANGE
In the final gallery I,
In the final gallery; I
In the final gallery, I
← Back to quizzes

ACT English Quiz

ACT English Quiz: Commas

Practice Commas in ACT English with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Commas, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for ACT English.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

The museum's new exhibit traces the history of street photography, from bulky early cameras to today's phone snapshots. As I walked through the rooms, I noticed how often the best images were unplanned. A child laughed, a commuter yawned, a dog tugged at its leash. In the final gallery I lingered over a photo that captured all three moments at once.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. In the final gallery I,
  3. In the final gallery; I
  4. In the final gallery, I (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests punctuation after an introductory phrase. 'In the final gallery' is a prepositional phrase that opens the sentence, so a comma belongs at the end of that phrase, right before the main clause begins — giving 'In the final gallery, I' followed by 'lingered over a photo.' Leaving the original 'In the final gallery I' with no punctuation runs the introductory phrase straight into the clause; putting the comma after 'I' wrongly separates the subject from its verb 'lingered'; and the semicolon is wrong because a semicolon must join two complete clauses, and 'In the final gallery' is not one. Find where the introductory element ends and the subject begins, and put the comma exactly at that seam — never after the subject.

Question 2

In a science podcast, a host described how researchers track migrating birds at night. Some teams use radar, others use audio recorders that capture flight calls, and a few rely on tiny GPS tags. The host noted that each method has trade-offs: radar covers wide areas but can't identify individuals, while tags provide detail but require catching birds first. The episode ended with a reminder that good data comes from careful planning and clear questions. The host listed the tools as radar audio recorders and GPS tags.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. radar audio recorders, and GPS tags
  3. radar, audio recorders and, GPS tags
  4. radar, audio recorders, and GPS tags (correct answer)

Explanation: This item tests punctuation of a series of three or more items, where commas separate the items and, in this test's convention, a comma also precedes the final 'and.' The three tools are radar, audio recorders, and GPS tags, so the version with a comma after 'radar' and another after 'audio recorders' is correct. The original 'radar audio recorders and GPS tags' runs the first two items together, so a reader could take 'radar audio recorders' as a single kind of device. The version that adds only the comma before 'and' still fuses 'radar' to 'audio recorders,' and the version that places a comma after 'and' rather than before it separates the conjunction from the item it introduces, which no punctuation rule allows. Count the items in the list first, then confirm there is a comma between every pair of neighbors and none floating after the conjunction.

Question 3

My cousin runs a small food truck that parks outside the stadium on game days. The menu is short, but everything is made to order: grilled corn, spicy tacos, and limeade. Before the first customers arrive, he checks the propane, wipes the counter, and, counts the cash box twice.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. and, counts
  3. and counts (correct answer)
  4. and; counts

Explanation: This item tests punctuation in a series of verbs: commas separate the items, and the final conjunction attaches directly to the item it introduces. The three actions are 'checks the propane, wipes the counter, and counts the cash box twice,' so 'and counts' with no comma between them is correct. Any version that keeps a comma after 'and' cuts the conjunction off from the verb it is joining, which leaves the last item stranded; a semicolon after 'and' is worse, since semicolons separate independent clauses or heavily punctuated list items, and 'counts the cash box twice' is neither. Punctuation belongs before a coordinating conjunction in a list, never after it. Read the final item together with its conjunction as one unit, and delete any mark that splits them.

Question 4

At the farmers' market, one stand sells only apples, but the variety is impressive. There are tart green ones for pies, crisp red ones for snacks, and tiny yellow ones that taste like honey. The vendor, a former teacher explains each type with the patience of a classroom veteran.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. a former, teacher
  3. a former teacher;
  4. a former teacher, (correct answer)

Explanation: A non-essential appositive — a noun phrase that renames the word before it — must be fenced off by punctuation on both sides. Here 'a former teacher' renames 'The vendor,' and the sentence already supplies the opening comma after 'The vendor,' so the fix is the closing comma that gives 'a former teacher,' before 'explains.' Leaving the original wording opens the interrupter and never closes it, so the reader runs from 'teacher' straight into 'explains'; putting the comma inside the phrase, as in 'a former, teacher,' splits an adjective from its noun; and ending with 'a former teacher;' uses a semicolon, which must join two independent clauses and cannot close an interrupting phrase. If a description interrupts a sentence, check that it is punctuated on both ends with the same kind of mark.

Question 5

My uncle restores old bicycles, and his garage looks like a small museum of gears and frames. When I visited, he showed me a road bike from the 1970s with faded decals and a bell that still rang clearly. He explained that restoring a bike isn't just about replacing parts; it's also about preserving the feel of the ride. As he worked, he cleaned the chain, adjusted the brakes, and tested the wheels. He let me try tightening a bolt with his favorite tool, a small, adjustable wrench he'd owned for years.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. a small, adjustable, wrench
  3. a small adjustable wrench (correct answer)
  4. a small adjustable, wrench

Explanation: Two adjectives before a noun take a comma only when they are coordinate, meaning each modifies the noun independently; cumulative adjectives, where the first modifies the whole phrase that follows, take no comma. In 'a small adjustable wrench,' 'adjustable wrench' names a type of tool and 'small' describes that tool as a unit, so no comma belongs between them. Keeping the original 'a small, adjustable wrench' inserts a comma that wrongly presents the two adjectives as equal and separate; 'a small, adjustable, wrench' adds a second comma that cuts the noun off from its own modifiers; and 'a small adjustable, wrench' leaves a comma stranded right before 'wrench.' Test the pair by trying to reverse their order or insert 'and' between them: if that sounds wrong, leave the comma out, and never put a comma between the last adjective and the noun.

Question 6

In an article about city planning, the author argued that sidewalks are more than decoration. They encourage walking, support local businesses, and make neighborhoods feel connected. The author also noted that trees along sidewalks provide shade, reduce heat, and, improve air quality.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. and; improve
  3. and, improve
  4. and improve (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests comma use in a series of three parallel verbs. The list is 'provide shade, reduce heat, and improve air quality,' and in a series the comma goes before the conjunction, never after it, so 'and improve' is correct. Keeping the comma in 'and, improve' inserts a pause between the conjunction and the verb it introduces, splitting a phrase that belongs together. Putting a semicolon in 'and; improve' is worse, since a semicolon separates independent clauses or complex list items, and 'improve air quality' is neither. Remember that punctuation goes between list items, not inside them, so no comma or semicolon should ever fall immediately after the 'and' of a series.

Question 7

An informational article about public libraries argues that modern libraries are more than book lenders. Many now offer free workshops on résumé writing, language learning, and basic coding. The article profiles a branch that transformed an unused storage area into a small makerspace with tools for crafting and electronics. Patrons can reserve equipment, attend demonstrations, or collaborate on projects. The librarian explained that the goal is to provide resources that people need, and cannot easily access elsewhere.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. that people need and (correct answer)
  3. that people need; and
  4. that people need. And

Explanation: This question tests the rule against inserting commas in restrictive relative clauses with compound elements. The sentence explains providing 'resources that people need, and cannot easily access elsewhere,' where 'that' introduces a restrictive clause modifying 'resources,' with 'need' and 'cannot easily access' as compound verbs joined by 'and.' The comma before 'and' unnecessarily separates the compound, as restrictive clauses do not require internal commas for parallel verbs. Choice B removes the comma, correctly forming 'that people need and cannot easily access' as a unified clause. Choice A retains the error; C adds a semicolon, splitting the clause; and D uses a period, creating a fragment. When 'that' clauses contain compounds, treat them like simple sentences and avoid commas before 'and' unless listing three or more items.

Question 8

During my first week at the community garden, I expected quiet work and small talk. Instead, I learned that planning matters as much as planting. Our coordinator asked us to list what we needed before the next workday: gloves, trowels, and a watering can. Then she reminded us that the shed stays locked unless a volunteer signs it out, so we made a checklist and posted it by the gate.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE (correct answer)
  2. so we made a checklist, and
  3. so we made a checklist; and
  4. so we made a checklist and,

Explanation: This question tests the use of commas in compound sentences joined by coordinating conjunctions. The sentence contains two independent clauses: "she reminded us that the shed stays locked unless a volunteer signs it out" and "we made a checklist and posted it by the gate," connected by the coordinating conjunction "so." When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), a comma must precede the conjunction. Choice A correctly places a comma before "so" and no comma after "and" (since "posted it by the gate" is not an independent clause). Choice B omits the necessary comma before "so," creating a comma splice error, while choices C and D use incorrect punctuation combinations.

Question 9

My aunt grows herbs on her windowsill in mismatched mugs and jars. When I visit, she snips basil for pasta, mint for tea, and rosemary for roasted vegetables. She insists that fresh herbs make cooking easier, not harder because they add flavor without extra steps.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE (correct answer)
  2. not, harder
  3. not harder,
  4. not; harder

Explanation: This question tests comma usage in contrasting expressions. The phrase "not harder" creates a contrast with the earlier statement about cooking being "easier." This construction ("easier, not harder") uses parallel structure to emphasize the contrast. The original correctly punctuates this contrast without additional commas around "not harder." Choice A is correct as written. Choices B, C, and D add unnecessary punctuation that disrupts the natural flow of the contrasting phrase. Simple contrasting phrases like this don't require additional comma separation when they're brief and closely connected to the main idea.

Question 10

My grandfather taught me to fix a flat tire in the driveway behind his garage. First, he said, loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground. Next, jack up the car and remove the wheel. Finally put on the spare, tighten the nuts in a star pattern, and lower the car carefully.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. Finally, put (correct answer)
  3. Finally; put
  4. Finally put,

Explanation: This question tests comma usage after introductory adverbs. "Finally" is an introductory transitional adverb that should be followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause. The original lacks this comma, creating awkward flow. Choice B correctly adds the comma after "Finally." Choices C and D use incorrect punctuation (semicolon and misplaced comma). Introductory transitional words and phrases like "finally," "however," and "therefore" should be followed by commas to clearly separate them from the main sentence content.

Question 11

Her favorite hobbies are painting, reading and hiking.

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. reading, and,
  3. reading and,
  4. reading, and (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests comma usage in a series of items. The sentence lists three hobbies: "painting, reading and hiking." In any series of three or more items, commas should separate each item, with the serial comma (Oxford comma) appearing before the coordinating conjunction "and" that introduces the final item. Choice D correctly adds the comma after "reading" to properly separate all items in the series. Choice A omits this necessary comma, potentially creating confusion about whether "reading and hiking" might be considered a combined activity. Choice C incorrectly places the comma after "and," which separates the conjunction from its object "hiking." Choice B adds both commas inappropriately. The serial comma helps maintain clarity and parallel structure in lists of three or more items.

Question 12

For a class project, I interviewed my grandmother about the first job she held after high school. She worked at a small radio station, filing records and answering phones, but she also learned to cue music for live broadcasts. When a DJ called in sick, she sometimes filled in, reading weather updates and introducing songs. She said the job taught her to speak clearly even when she felt nervous. Her favorite part was the studio itself, with its bright, blue walls and heavy soundproof door.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. bright blue walls (correct answer)
  3. bright, blue, walls
  4. bright blue, walls

Explanation: This question tests the rule for comma usage with cumulative adjectives, where no comma is needed if one adjective modifies the combination of the next adjective and noun. In 'bright blue walls,' 'bright' modifies 'blue,' describing the shade, making them cumulative rather than coordinate adjectives that equally describe 'walls.' Adding a comma would incorrectly imply the adjectives are interchangeable. Choice B correctly removes the comma between 'bright' and 'blue.' Choice A inserts an unneeded comma, while choices C and D add excessive commas that separate elements unnecessarily. Test adjectives by inserting 'and' between them; if it sounds unnatural, they are cumulative and need no comma.

Question 13

At the start of the semester, our teacher asked everyone to keep a reading journal. Some entries were simple summaries, but over time I began to write questions in the margins and trace themes across chapters. I noticed that when I paused to reflect, I remembered details more clearly during discussions. The journal became less like homework and more like a conversation with the text. To stay consistent I set aside ten minutes each night for writing.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. To stay consistent, I set aside (correct answer)
  3. To stay consistent; I set aside
  4. To stay consistent, I, set aside

Explanation: This question tests the use of commas after introductory phrases. The sentence begins with an infinitive phrase "To stay consistent," introducing the main clause "I set aside ten minutes each night for writing." The rule requires a comma after introductory phrases to separate them from the main clause for better readability. The correct choice is B, which adds the comma after "consistent" to properly set off the introductory phrase. Choice A omits the comma, creating a potential run-on feel; choice C uses a semicolon, which is too strong for an introductory phrase; choice D adds an extra, unnecessary comma after "I." Scan for introductory elements like phrases or clauses at the start of sentences and ensure they are followed by a comma.

Question 14

The historical museum, which we visited last summer, had an extensive exhibit on the civil war including uniforms, weapons and personal letters from soldiers.

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. weapons, and,
  3. weapons and,
  4. weapons, and (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests comma usage in a series of three items. The sentence lists "uniforms, weapons and personal letters" as items in the Civil War exhibit. In a series of three or more items, commas should separate each item, with the serial comma (Oxford comma) appearing before the coordinating conjunction "and" in the final position. Choice D correctly adds the comma after "weapons" to properly separate the second and third items in the series. Choice A lacks this necessary comma, creating a run-on series. Choice C incorrectly places the comma after "and," which separates the conjunction from its object. Choice B adds both commas, creating redundant punctuation. Always use commas to separate items in a series, including the serial comma before "and."

Question 15

My neighborhood association publishes a monthly newsletter about local issues. One article outlined a plan to reduce traffic near the elementary school by adjusting crosswalk timing and adding bike racks. Another article profiled a retired firefighter who now teaches first-aid workshops. The editor invited residents to submit ideas for future topics. The newsletter is useful, it also feels like a record of who we are.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. The newsletter is useful; it also feels
  3. The newsletter is useful, and it also feels (correct answer)
  4. The newsletter is useful it also feels

Explanation: This question tests the correction of comma splices in compound sentences. The sentence has two independent clauses: "The newsletter is useful" and "it also feels like a record of who we are," improperly joined by only a comma. The rule states that two independent clauses need a coordinating conjunction with a comma or a semicolon to connect them correctly. The correct choice is C, which adds "and" after the comma to properly join the clauses with a coordinating conjunction. Choice A keeps the comma splice; choice B uses a semicolon, which works but changes the flow without a conjunction; choice D removes all punctuation, creating a run-on. To spot comma splices, check if both parts of the sentence can stand alone as complete sentences.

Question 16

After moving to a smaller apartment, I tried to keep only what I used. I donated old textbooks, recycled stacks of paper, and gave my neighbor a lamp. Still, one box stayed on the closet shelf: letters from my grandmother, written in looping cursive. I read them slowly, and I realized they were less like keepsakes and more like instructions for living, patiently, and with humor.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. patiently, with humor
  3. patiently; and with humor
  4. patiently and with humor (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests proper comma usage in a series of parallel prepositional phrases. The original has "patiently, and with humor" which incorrectly uses a comma before "and" in a two-item series. When connecting two parallel phrases ("patiently" and "with humor"), no comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction "and." Choice D removes the unnecessary comma, creating the correct parallel structure. Choice C incorrectly uses a semicolon, and Choice B creates an awkward comma splice. Remember that commas are only required before "and" when joining three or more items in a series.

Question 17

A short biography of the inventor Lewis Latimer notes that he drafted patents and improved electric lighting. In class, we focused on how his technical drawings helped other engineers reproduce complex designs. Latimer's work mattered because it combined precision with imagination and, because it made new technology easier to share.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. and because (correct answer)
  3. and; because
  4. and, because,

Explanation: This question tests comma usage in compound structures with subordinate clauses. The sentence explains two reasons why Latimer's work mattered: 'because it combined precision with imagination' and 'because it made new technology easier to share.' These two 'because' clauses are parallel and joined by 'and.' Choice B correctly uses only 'and' to connect these parallel subordinate clauses without any commas, maintaining the sentence's flow. Choice A incorrectly adds commas around 'because,' which disrupts the compound structure. Choice C uses a semicolon, which cannot join subordinate clauses. Choice D adds excessive commas that fragment the meaning. When joining parallel subordinate clauses with 'and,' no additional punctuation is needed.

Question 18

During my first week volunteering at the animal shelter, I learned that the quietest jobs often matter most. I spent an hour refilling water bowls, folding towels, and wiping down kennels. The routine was simple, but it kept the dogs calm. By the end of the shift, my supervisor thanked me for being thorough, and I realized I liked work that left a place better than I found it. She reminded me to move slowly when the puppies were nervous, and to speak softly.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. when the puppies were nervous and (correct answer)
  3. when the puppies were nervous; and
  4. when the puppies were nervous: and

Explanation: This question tests the use of commas with compound infinitive phrases. The sentence contains two infinitive phrases connected by 'and': 'to move slowly when the puppies were nervous' and 'to speak softly.' When two infinitive phrases share the same subject and are joined by a coordinating conjunction, no comma is needed before the conjunction. Choice B correctly removes the unnecessary comma, creating a smooth compound structure. Choice A incorrectly places a comma before 'and,' which would only be appropriate if these were independent clauses. Choices C and D use semicolons and colons inappropriately, as these punctuation marks are too strong for connecting related infinitive phrases.

Question 19

My aunt restores old radios, a hobby that requires patience and a steady hand. When I visited her workshop, she showed me how she labels each screw, cleans each contact, and tests each tube. The most difficult part, she said, is finding replacement pieces that are affordable, and still reliable.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. that are affordable and (correct answer)
  3. that are affordable; and
  4. that are affordable, and,

Explanation: This question tests comma usage in compound predicates within a relative clause. The sentence contains a relative clause beginning with "that" which modifies "replacement pieces." Within this clause, there are two qualities being described: pieces that are "affordable" and "still reliable." Since these are not independent clauses but rather compound adjectives sharing the same subject ("that"), no comma should separate them. Choice B correctly omits the comma between "affordable" and "and," creating a smooth compound predicate. Choice A incorrectly places a comma before "and," while choices C and D use inappropriate punctuation that disrupts the sentence flow. Remember that commas are not needed between compound elements unless they are independent clauses.

Question 20

For our history project, my partner and I interviewed residents who remembered the town's old movie theater. One person recalled the velvet seats, another the Saturday matinees, and another the organ music before the film. We recorded the interviews, transcribed them, and, we donated copies to the library's archive.

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

  1. NO CHANGE
  2. and we (correct answer)
  3. and, we
  4. and; we

Explanation: This question tests comma usage in a series of actions. The sentence lists three actions: "recorded the interviews," "transcribed them," and "donated copies to the library's archive." When listing items or actions in a series, commas separate each element, but no additional comma is needed after the conjunction "and" that precedes the final item. Choice B correctly removes the unnecessary comma after "and," creating proper series punctuation. Choice A incorrectly places a comma after "and," disrupting the flow, while choices C and D use inappropriate punctuation marks. The rule is simple: in a series, use commas between items but not after the final conjunction.