Question 1: Why are commas used after 'City' and 'D.C.' in the passage?

Answer: To separate items in a list and clarify the meaning.

Question 2: Identify the sentence where commas are used to set off non-essential information. Write the sentence.

Answer: Our guide, Ms. Johnson, explained the history of each city.

Question 3: Choose the correct comma placement in the following sentence: 'We enjoyed trying local foods such as pizza cheesesteaks and hot dogs.'

Answer: a) We enjoyed trying local foods such as pizza, cheesesteaks, and hot dogs.

Question 4: Explain how the commas in the list 'pizza, cheesesteaks, and hot dogs' improve clarity.

Answer: They separate each item clearly, making it easier to identify each food.

Question 5: Analyze the sentence: 'Despite the busy schedule, everyone had fun and took lots of photos to remember the trip.' How do commas affect its clarity?

Answer: The comma after 'schedule' indicates a pause, clarifying that 'everyone had fun and took photos' is the main idea, separate from 'despite the busy schedule.'

Question 6: Create a sentence describing your favorite trip, using at least three commas to clarify the meaning.

Answer: See full answer key

Question 7: In the sentence: 'Ms. Johnson, our guide, explained the history,' why are the commas around 'our guide' important?

Answer: They set off 'our guide' as non-essential information, clarifying who Ms. Johnson is.

Question 8: Choose the best way to punctuate this list: 'apples bananas oranges'

Answer: a) apples, bananas, oranges

Question 9: Explain why proper comma usage is important for clarity in writing.

Answer: Proper comma usage separates ideas and items, preventing confusion and making sentences clearer.