Commas for Clauses and Extra Information — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 5 punctuation worksheet.
Year 5 · English · Punctuation
Commas for Clauses and Extra Information — Answers
Part A — Which is correct?
Circle the sentence where the commas are in the right places.
- AAlthough it was late we kept, walking.
- BAlthough it was late, we kept walking.
- CAlthough, it was late we kept walking.
- DAlthough it was, late we kept walking.
Answer: Although it was late, we kept walking.
A comma follows the opening clause 'Although it was late'.
- AMy aunt, who lives in Cairns, is visiting.
- BMy aunt who lives, in Cairns, is visiting.
- CMy aunt, who lives in Cairns is visiting.
- DMy aunt who lives in Cairns, is visiting.
Answer: My aunt, who lives in Cairns, is visiting.
The extra information 'who lives in Cairns' sits between two commas.
- AThe recipe however, needs more salt.
- BThe recipe, however needs more salt.
- CThe recipe, however, needs more salt.
- DThe recipe however needs, more salt.
Answer: The recipe, however, needs more salt.
'However' is an interrupting word, so it needs a comma on each side.
- AWe bought bread, cheese and olives, then went home.
- BWe bought bread cheese and olives then, went home.
- CWe bought, bread, cheese and olives then went home.
- DWe bought bread, cheese, and olives then, went home.
Answer: We bought bread, cheese and olives, then went home.
Commas separate the list items and the two actions.
Part B — Add the commas (if needed)
Rewrite each sentence with commas in the right places. One sentence does not need any: write 'No comma needed'.
Answer: If you finish early, you may read quietly.
Answer: Our neighbour, a retired pilot, built his own plane.
Answer: No comma needed.
When the reason ('because of the storm') comes after the main clause, no comma is needed.
Answer: Mr Lee, the principal, spoke at assembly.
Answer: Before the exam started, the teacher handed out pencils.
Part C — Why is the comma there?
Explain the job of the comma or commas in each sentence.
Answer: The comma follows an introductory word.
Answer: The comma separates the name of the person being spoken to.
Answer: The commas surround extra information that could be removed without breaking the sentence.
Answer: The comma follows an opening subordinate clause.
Part D — Your turn
Model answer: When we arrived at the museum, the dinosaur hall was already crowded. The guide, a cheerful woman in a green vest, showed us a fossilised egg. Surprisingly, the egg was the size of a football. Sam, don't touch the glass!
Success criteria:
- Four complete sentences
- Each comma use shown once
- Commas placed correctly
- Capital letters and full stops
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.
Great work. Here's what to try next: