Midnight at the Museum: Where Does the Comma Go?

1. 1.

   The guard locks up before dawn. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

   ABefore the sun rose the guard, locked the doors.BBefore the sun rose, the guard locked the doors.CBefore, the sun rose the guard locked the doors.DBefore the sun rose the guard locked, the doors.
2. 2.

   Read the sentence on the tiles. What belongs in the gap after 'Slowly'?

   

   Aa full stopBa question markCa commaDnothing at all
3. 3.

   In the dark cellar the boxes began to rattle. After which word should the comma go?

   AdarkBcellarCboxesDIn
4. 4.

   Something clanks upstairs. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

   AAt the top of the stairs, a suit of armour clanked.BAt the top, of the stairs a suit of armour clanked.CAt the top of the stairs a suit of armour, clanked.DAt the top of the stairs a suit, of armour clanked.
5. 5.

   Carefully, Maya opened the ancient book. Why is there a comma after 'Carefully'?

   ABecause 'Carefully' is a nameBTo show that Maya is speakingCBecause the sentence is a questionDTo separate the fronted adverbial from the main clause
6. 6.

   Read the sentence on the tiles. What belongs in the gap after 'midnight'?

   

   Aa commaBan exclamation markCa full stopDnothing at all
7. 7.

   Under the glass case the ruby glittered. After which word should the comma go?

   AUnderBglassCrubyDcase
8. 8.

   Which sentence does not need a comma?

   AWith a sigh of relief the guard sat down.BThe guard sighed with relief.CMoments later the alarm rang.DBehind the door a shadow moved.
9. 9.

   The cat is on the move. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

   AAs quick as a flash the cat, leapt onto the shelf.BAs quick, as a flash the cat leapt onto the shelf.CAs quick as a flash, the cat leapt onto the shelf.DAs quick as a flash the cat leapt, onto the shelf.
10. 10.

    Read the sentence on the tiles. What belongs in the gap after 'up'?

    

    Aa question markBa commaCan apostropheDnothing at all

Midnight at the Museum: Where Does the Comma Go? — Answer key

1. 1.B — Before the sun rose, the guard locked the doors.
   2.C — a comma
2. 3.B — cellar
   4.A — At the top of the stairs, a suit of armour clanked.
3. 5.D — To separate the fronted adverbial from the main clause
   6.A — a comma
4. 7.D — case
   8.B — The guard sighed with relief.
5. 9.C — As quick as a flash, the cat leapt onto the shelf.
   10.B — a comma