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Grade 6 · Reading & language

Set off a nonessential clause

Use paired commas around extra descriptive information when the noun is already identified.

6 authored questions + worked example

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Worked example

Original sentence: Jo who repairs bikes fixed the wheel. Jo is already uniquely identified; the repair information is extra.

The context identifies Jo uniquely. Which sentence correctly sets off the extra clause?

Answer & why

Answer: Jo, who repairs bikes, fixed the wheel.

Who repairs bikes adds information about the already identified Jo; commas surround the complete clause.

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All questions

All 6 authored questions for this skill.

Question 1

The context identifies Mina uniquely. Which sentence correctly sets off the extra clause?

  1. Mina, who arrived, early opened the hall.
  2. Mina who arrived early opened, the hall.
  3. Mina, who arrived early, opened the hall.
  4. Mina who, arrived early, opened the hall.
A hint

When a clause adds information without identifying which person or thing you mean, set it off on both sides.

Answer & why

Answer: Mina, who arrived early, opened the hall.

Both commas mark the boundaries of who arrived early.

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Question 2

There is exactly one school garden. Which sentence correctly sets off the extra clause?

  1. The school garden, which faces, south gets afternoon sun.
  2. The school garden which faces south gets, afternoon sun.
  3. The school garden, which faces south, gets afternoon sun.
  4. The school garden which, faces south, gets afternoon sun.
A hint

When a clause adds information without identifying which person or thing you mean, set it off on both sides.

Answer & why

Answer: The school garden, which faces south, gets afternoon sun.

Which faces south adds information to the uniquely identified garden.

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Question 3

The context identifies Ravi uniquely. Which sentence correctly sets off the extra clause?

  1. Ravi whose bag was missing borrowed, a pencil.
  2. Ravi, whose bag, was missing borrowed a pencil.
  3. Ravi, whose bag was missing, borrowed a pencil.
  4. Ravi whose, bag was missing, borrowed a pencil.
A hint

When a clause adds information without identifying which person or thing you mean, set it off on both sides.

Answer & why

Answer: Ravi, whose bag was missing, borrowed a pencil.

The entire extra clause whose bag was missing goes between the commas.

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Question 4

There is exactly one class aquarium. Which sentence correctly sets off the extra clause?

  1. The class aquarium which, holds six fish, needs cleaning.
  2. The class aquarium, which holds six fish, needs cleaning.
  3. The class aquarium which holds six fish needs, cleaning.
  4. The class aquarium, which holds, six fish needs cleaning.
A hint

When a clause adds information without identifying which person or thing you mean, set it off on both sides.

Answer & why

Answer: The class aquarium, which holds six fish, needs cleaning.

The noun is already identified; the extra clause is set off before which and after fish.

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Question 5

The context identifies Jo uniquely. Which sentence correctly sets off the extra clause?

  1. Jo, who repairs, bikes fixed the wheel.
  2. Jo who, repairs bikes, fixed the wheel.
  3. Jo, who repairs bikes, fixed the wheel.
  4. Jo who repairs bikes fixed, the wheel.
A hint

When a clause adds information without identifying which person or thing you mean, set it off on both sides.

Answer & why

Answer: Jo, who repairs bikes, fixed the wheel.

Who repairs bikes adds information about the already identified Jo; commas surround the complete clause.

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Question 6

There is exactly one town clock. Which sentence correctly sets off the extra clause?

  1. The town clock, which was recently repaired, struck noon.
  2. The town clock which, was recently repaired, struck noon.
  3. The town clock, which was recently, repaired struck noon.
  4. The town clock which was recently repaired struck, noon.
A hint

When a clause adds information without identifying which person or thing you mean, set it off on both sides.

Answer & why

Answer: The town clock, which was recently repaired, struck noon.

The clock is already identified, so the extra which clause is enclosed in commas.

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