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Oxford Comma Writing Exercises: Level B2 (with Answers)

15questions
7:30minutes
+16XP on pass

Can you use Oxford Comma correctly in everyday English? These 15 practice questions for Level B2 go beyond memorisation — they put writing concepts into realistic sentences and situations. Detailed explanations help you understand not just the what, but the why.

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⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

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Questions 15
Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: Read the following sentence: 'She packed her bag with sunscreen, a towel, and a book.' What is the comma after 'towel' an example of?

Question 1 options
The comma placed before 'and' in a list of three or more items is called the Oxford comma (also known as the serial comma). It appears after the second-to-last item and before the conjunction.
Q2 15

Question 2: The recipe calls for flour, sugar ___ butter.

Question 2 options
To use the Oxford comma correctly in a list of three items, a comma is placed after each item before the final conjunction 'and.' The correct insertion is ', and' after 'sugar.'
Q3 15

Question 3: The Oxford comma is always required in English writing regardless of the style guide being followed.

Question 3 options
This is false. Different style guides have different rules about the Oxford comma. For example, AP style generally omits it, while the Chicago Manual of Style recommends using it. Its use depends on the chosen style guide.
Q4 15

Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses the Oxford comma?

Question 4 options
The Oxford comma is placed after the second-to-last item in a list of three or more, just before the conjunction. 'I visited Rome, Paris, and Berlin' correctly places the comma after 'Paris' and before 'and.' The other options either omit it, misplace it, or add unnecessary punctuation.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each punctuation term to its definition or example.

Question 5 options
Oxford comma
Serial comma
Comma splice
Conjunction
Incorrectly joining two sentences with a comma
A connecting word such as 'and' or 'or'
Final comma before 'and' or 'or' in a list
Another name for the Oxford comma

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

The Oxford comma (serial comma) is the final comma before a conjunction in a list. A comma splice is the incorrect joining of two independent clauses with just a comma. An introductory comma follows an opening phrase. A conjunction connects words or clauses.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which sentence has a punctuation error related to the use of the Oxford comma?

Question 6 options
In the sentence 'I need to buy eggs, milk, and, cheese,' there is an incorrect comma placed after 'and.' The Oxford comma should appear only before the conjunction, not after it. The other sentences are punctuated correctly.
Q7 15

Question 7: Read the sentence: 'This weekend I want to visit my uncle, a famous chef ___ a retired pilot.' Which option best completes the sentence to make clear that the uncle, the chef, and the pilot are three separate people?

Question 7 options
Without the Oxford comma, the phrase 'a famous chef and a retired pilot' could be read as an appositive describing the uncle. Adding a comma before 'and' (the Oxford comma) makes it clear that the list contains three separate people the writer wants to visit.
Q8 15

Question 8: The following sentence contains an error: 'For breakfast, I had toast jam and orange juice.' Which option correctly fixes the punctuation?

Question 8 options
In a list of three items, commas should separate each item. Using the Oxford comma, the correct punctuation is 'toast, jam, and orange juice,' placing commas after 'toast' and after 'jam' (before 'and').
Q9 15

Question 9: Arrange the parts in the correct order to form a properly punctuated sentence using the Oxford comma.

Question 9 options
  • , and Japanese
  • .
  • , German
  • He speaks French

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

A correctly punctuated list with the Oxford comma follows the pattern: first item + comma + second item + comma + conjunction + third item. The complete sentence reads: 'He speaks French, German, and Japanese.'
Q10 15

Question 10: You are writing a formal academic essay and need to list the three main causes of a historical event. Which sentence uses the most appropriate punctuation?

Question 10 options
In academic writing, the Oxford comma is widely recommended because it prevents ambiguity and ensures clarity. Placing a comma before 'and' in the list of three causes is the most appropriate choice for a formal academic essay.
Q11 15

Question 11: What is the key difference between using and omitting the Oxford comma in the sentence 'I admire my teachers, Gandhi and Mother Teresa'?

Question 11 options
Without the Oxford comma, 'Gandhi and Mother Teresa' can be read as an appositive renaming 'my teachers,' meaning the writer's teachers are Gandhi and Mother Teresa. With the Oxford comma ('my teachers, Gandhi, and Mother Teresa'), these are clearly three separate items in a list.
Q12 15

Question 12: You are writing a professional email to your manager listing project requirements. Which version is most appropriate for a formal workplace context?

Question 12 options
In a professional context, clarity is essential. Using the Oxford comma and maintaining a formal tone helps ensure the message is unambiguous. The version with the Oxford comma and complete, polished phrasing is most suitable for a formal workplace email.
Q13 15

Question 13: If you choose to use the Oxford comma in a piece of writing, you should use it consistently throughout the entire text.

Question 13 options
This is true. Consistency is a key principle of good writing. If you decide to use the Oxford comma, you should apply it in every list throughout your text to maintain a uniform style.
Q14 15

Question 14: Consider the sentence: 'The documentary was dedicated to her parents, the president and the vice president.' Why might a writer add an Oxford comma after 'the president'?

Question 14 options
Without the Oxford comma, the phrase 'the president and the vice president' could be interpreted as an appositive explaining who 'her parents' are. Adding the Oxford comma clarifies that the list contains three separate dedications: her parents, the president, and the vice president.
Q15 15

Question 15: The following sentence is unclear: 'I love cooking my family and my pets.' Which is the best revision to eliminate the ambiguity?

Question 15 options
The original sentence is ambiguous because it could be read as 'I love cooking my family and my pets.' Adding commas to create a clear list with the Oxford comma — 'I love cooking, my family, and my pets' — shows that cooking, family, and pets are three separate things the writer loves.

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