Copy this file and paste it into your word processor. Using the following symbols, show how the errors should be edited.
Refer to Correction Symbols, as necessary. After editing the paragraphs, check the answer key.
Find the 20 places with missing punctuation; then, make the appropriate revisions.
1 Both historians and archeologists study mankinds past. 2 Historians depend
on the written word and focus on documents from the past. 3 In contrast, archeologists
study the past in terms of things that people made and left behind. 4 While
the historian concentrates on the nonmaterial aspects of a culture the archeologist
focuses his attention on the material aspects. 5 Material culture consists of
artifacts like tools, weapons charms art objects utensils and buildings. 6 Even
a human burial in a grave is an artifact. 7 The grave pit is an artifact and
the skeleton arranged in a particular way is considered an artifact. 8 A paved
road is an artifact and a stone knife is an artifact. 9 Each artifact is important
in an archeologists explanation of the past. 10 Because the kinds of artifacts
from past cultures are so different there are many divisions and specializations
within archeology. 11 Some divisions concentrate on ancient civilizations like
the Greek Roman Egyptian Chinese or Aztec. 12 Others are regional divisions
that study the civilizations of Europe Africa North America South America or
Asia. 13 Because of the diversity of archeology, it is difficult to classify
but only archeology provides a scientific overall view of human existence from
mankinds earliest beginnings to the present.
Find the 20 places with incorrect punctuation; then, make the appropriate revisions.
1 Early people had many explanations for earthquakes. 2 In one theory,
the Earth was attached to a platform. 3 The sun moon and stars revolved
around the Earth and it's platform. 4 When the platform moved earthquakes
happened. 5 In one culture, this platform was a great spider; in other cultures,
this platform was a giant catfish, tortoise, or whale. 6 Artistotles four
elements of the universe - air earth fire and water - were also used to
explain earthquakes. 7 As hot masses of underground air struggled to escape
the ground shook. 8 According to scientists today, most of the worlds earthquakes
are caused by the mobility of the Earths surface. 9 It is estimated that
there is 1 great earthquake 10 major earthquakes 1,000 damaging shocks and
100,000 minor shocks each year. 10 In addition any area that has had earthquakes
in the past can expect others in the future. 11 In rugged areas, landslides
occur with earthquakes. 12 However when an earthquake occurs near a city
fire is often much more destructive to life and property than the tremors
themselves. 13 For example, in the San Francisco earthquake of April 18
1906 property damage of the quake was estimated at $20 million but the fire
that followed was estimated at $40 million in damages. 14 Earthquakes still
frighten many people today.
From Improving the Grammar of Written English: The Editing Process, Beverly Benson and Patricia Byrd
[Answer Key] [Go to class at cvc.blackboard.com] [marsha_chan@wvmccd.cc.ca.us]
Marsha Chan
English as a Second Language Department
Mission College
3000 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054-1897
(408) 855-5314
URL: http://www.missioncollege.org/depts/esl/