Question 1: Identify a sentence in the passage that uses a comma to set off a non-essential clause. Write down the sentence.

Answer: Sample: The player, who had scored the winning goal, celebrated with his teammates.

Question 2: In the sentence 'Despite the intense competition, the players, who had been injured earlier, continued to play bravely,' what is the purpose of the commas around 'who had been injured earlier'?

Answer: To set off a non-essential clause providing additional information about the players.

Question 3: Choose the correct punctuation: Which sentence correctly uses commas in a clause? a) The coach who believed in teamwork motivated the team. b) The coach, who believed in teamwork, motivated the team. c) The coach, who believed in teamwork motivated the team. d) The coach who believed, in teamwork motivated the team.

Answer: b) The coach, who believed in teamwork, motivated the team.

Question 4: Rewrite the following sentence adding commas to set off the non-essential clause: 'The referee blew the whistle which signaled the start of the final quarter.'

Answer: The referee blew the whistle, which signaled the start of the final quarter.

Question 5: Explain why commas are important in the sentence: 'The team captain who was known for his strategic thinking led the team to victory.'

Answer: They clarify that 'who was known for his strategic thinking' is additional information about the captain, making the sentence clearer.

Question 6: Analyze the use of commas in the sentence: 'When the referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the final quarter, the crowd cheered loudly.' What role do the commas play?

Answer: The commas separate the introductory clause and the non-essential descriptive clause, clarifying the sequence of events and providing additional detail.

Question 7: Create a short paragraph (about 5-6 sentences) describing a memorable sports moment, using at least three clauses with correct comma placement.

Answer: Students' own writing, focusing on correct comma usage.

Question 8: In your opinion, why is proper comma use important in sports reporting and commentary? Write a brief explanation.

Answer: Proper comma use ensures clarity, prevents misreading, and makes sports reports more professional and easier to understand.