Grammar Test 3 Answer 1

1. Knecht Ruprecht the mysterious and jocular farmhand was wary of letting everyone discover his penchant for bedding in straw with barn animals, and showing up just when farmer Joe's toenails needed to be clean and cut.

Ans.

1. Knecht Ruprecht, the mysterious and jocular farmhand, was wary of letting everyone discover his penchant for bedding in straw with barn animals and showing up just when Farmer Joe's toenails needed to be cleaned and cut.


1) Commas need to set off "the mysterious and jocular farmhand" because this information does not specify or identify Knecht Ruprecht any further. Therefore, this is a non-restrictive appositive. (2pts.)

2) There is no comma after animals because "letting everyone discover his penchant for bedding in straw with barn animals" and "showing up just when Farmer Joe's toenails needed to be cleaned and cut" are compound gerund phrases. Therfore, no comma is needed between them.(1 pt.)

3) Farmer Joe needs to be capitalized because the job title is part of the name. After all, this is no different than President Nixon or Pope John Paul. (1 pt.)

4) The correct phrasing is "cleaned and cut." Both take the participle. (1 pt.)

 

Total = 5 pts.