Comma Quiz
The game is multiple choice and based on colours. It’s kinaesthetic, suitable for adults
(who have surprised me by how much most of them like these games) and fairly fast.
I use coloured hoops (as in hoola hoops) and bean bags. It can be team based or
individual. Each player throws a beanbag into the hoop that corresponds with their
chosen answer. Alternatively, students can hold up coloured cards or similar.
Adult Literacy curriculum links
Ws/L1.3 Punctuate sentences properly, and use punctuation so that meaning is clear
Ws/L2.4 Punctuate sentences correctly, and use punctuation correctly (e.g. commas, apostrophes,
inverted commas)
Ideal for underpinning Functional Skills English (FE)
L1 FE Ensure written work includes generally accurate punctuation / spelling and that meaning is clear
L2 FE Punctuate written text using commas, apostrophes and inverted commas accurately
March 2011. Kindly contributed by Dory Anderson, City College, Peterborough.
Search for Dory on www.skillsworkshop.org
Questions are inspired by and adapted from examples on http://www.grammarbook.com/
Comma quiz L1/2
Which version is right?
(questions adapted from Blue Book of Grammar and
Punctuation by Jane Straus)
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• Girls, who have red hair, are very lucky.
• Girls, who have red hair are very lucky.
• Girls who have red hair, are very lucky.
• Girls who have red hair are very lucky.
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• He asked, where his hat was.
• He asked where his hat was.
• He asked where, his hat was.
• He asked, where was his hat.
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• They are, one might say true believers.
• They are one might say, true believers.
• They are, one might say, true believers.
• They are one might say true believers.
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• Rashid arrived in Peterborough hoping to get a
good job.
• Rashid arrived in Peterborough, hoping to get
a good job.
• Rashid, arrived in Peterborough, hoping to get
a good job.
• Rashid, arrived in Peterborough hoping to get
a good job.
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• On July 20, 1969, astronauts landed on the
moon for the first time.
• On July 20 1969, astronauts landed, on the
moon for the first time.
• On July 20, 1969 astronauts landed on the
moon for the first time.
• On July 20 1969 astronauts landed, on the
moon, for the first time.
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• I told you Adilah never to ask me that
question again!
• I told you Adilah never to ask me, that
question again!
• I told you, Adilah, never to ask me that
question again!
• I told, you Adilah, never to ask me that
question again!
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• It is drizzling not pouring.
• It is drizzling, not pouring.
• It is drizzling not, pouring.
• It, is drizzling not pouring.
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• What a delicious appetising meal!
• What a delicious appetising, meal!
• What , a delicious appetising meal!
• What a delicious, appetising meal!
WHICH VERSION IS RIGHT?
• Yes, I can be ready in five minutes.
• Yes I can be ready, in five minutes.
• Yes I can, be ready in five minutes.
• Yes I can be, ready in five minutes.