Question

ASSIGNMENT
For each of the sentences below, determine which of the three sentence parts can be removed. Type A, B, or C to the left of each number. (The first one is done for you.)
B 1. [A] The Baron’s laboratory, [B] which is built in the tower of a castle, [C] has all the equipment necessary for creating life.
2. [A] The brothers and sisters, [B] leaving their histories at the door, [C] enter the dream house.
3. [A] The man with the ice-cream cart, [B] working his little row of silver bells, [C] stops opposite my window.
4. [A] The dazed starling, [B] which had been trapped within the room, [C] at last found the opened window.

Terminal Commas
When words, phrases, or clauses are added to the right of a sentence, a terminal comma separates those words, phrases, or clauses from the sentence to the left.
A sentence containing one terminal (#3) comma is a mirror image of a sentence containing one introductory (#1) comma. The patterns for the two mirror-image sentences look like this:
introductory comma: Added words (1) sentence.
terminal comma: Sentence (3) added words.
Examples:
introductory comma: Relieved that no one here knows me (1) I settle into my seat.
terminal comma: I settle into my seat (3) relieved that no one here knows me.
In order to understand the difference between these two patterns, we must see that (1) the comma divides the sentence into two parts and that (2) one of these two parts is a sentence that can stand alone and the other of the two parts is a word, phrase, or clause that cannot stand alone. If the added word, phrase, or clause is to the left, we have a rule #1 (introductory) comma; if the added word, phrase, or clause is to the right, we have a rule #3 (terminal) comma. (The first one is done for you.)
ASSIGNMENT
In this exercise you will distinguish between introductory and terminal commas. If the comma in the sentence is introductory (rule 1), type an “I” to the left of the number; if the comma is terminal (rule 3), type a “T” to the left of the number.
I 5. Beautifully costumed in Renaissance brocade, the actors perform their duties upon the stage.

6. From the vast echo-chamber of the gym, the bounced basketball sounds like a leather whip.

7. The snow flurries about, stinging our nostrils as the wind lifts it from the beach.

8. He stood at the back of the boat, a youth in purple pants.

9. Driving at right angles to the wind, the clouds create a postcard-like picture.

10. The pear tree grew in the garden, bearing much less fruit this year than the year before.

Answer 1

Answers — removable parts:
2. B
3. B
4. B

Introductory (I) or Terminal (T) commas:
5. I
6. I
7. T
8. T
9. I
10. T