Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive Clauses Quiz with Answers

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔑 A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence. It limits the noun it modifies and cannot be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning. It is NOT set off by commas.
• ✏️ A nonrestrictive clause provides extra, non-essential information about the noun it modifies. It can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning and is always set off by commas.
• 📝 Think of it this way: if the information is *necessary*, it's restrictive (no commas!). If it's just *nice to know*, it's nonrestrictive (use commas!).
• 📌 Restrictive clauses are also called *essential clauses*, and nonrestrictive clauses are called *nonessential clauses*.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following sentences contains a restrictive clause?
   1. A) My sister, who loves to read, is a librarian.
   2. B) The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue.
   3. C) My cat, a fluffy Persian, is sleeping.
   4. D) John, my best friend, is visiting.
2. Identify the sentence with a nonrestrictive clause.
   1. A) The student who studies hard usually succeeds.
   2. B) My house, which is on the corner, is painted blue.
   3. C) The movie that we watched last night was scary.
   4. D) People who are kind are often appreciated.
3. Which sentence is punctuated correctly, indicating a nonrestrictive clause?
   1. A) The car, which is red is mine.
   2. B) The car which is red, is mine.
   3. C) The car which is red is mine.
   4. D) The car, which is red, is mine.
4. Choose the sentence where the clause is essential to the meaning (restrictive).
   1. A) My neighbor, who is a doctor, is very helpful.
   2. B) The cake, which I baked this morning, is delicious.
   3. C) The man who stole my wallet was arrested.
   4. D) My dog, who is a golden retriever, loves to play fetch.
5. Which of the following requires commas?
   1. A) The student that won the award is here.
   2. B) The dog which barks loudly is mine.
   3. C) My aunt, who lives in Florida, is visiting.
   4. D) The car that I want is expensive.
6. Select the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential clause.
   1. A) The author J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series.
   2. B) The author, J.K. Rowling, wrote the Harry Potter series.
   3. C) The author J.K Rowling, wrote the Harry Potter series.
   4. D) The author, J.K Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series.
7. Identify the sentence where the removal of the clause would significantly change the sentence's meaning.
   1. A) My teacher, who is very knowledgeable, is giving a lecture.
   2. B) The book that is on the table is mine.
   3. C) My friend, who enjoys hiking, is going to the mountains.
   4. D) The restaurant, which is downtown, is very popular.