MASSACHUSETTS TESTS FOR EDUCATOR LICENSURE (MTEL) :
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Response and Rationale for Writing Subtest Sample Question #58

Answer: The students, after eating a good breakfast, entered the classroom.

 

Rationale: The phrase “after eating a good breakfast” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, and therefore is called a “non-restrictive element.” Non-restrictive elements must be set off with commas both before and after them. If the phrase were essential to the sentence, it is a “restrictive element,” and it must not be set off by commas (for example, the quoted passage in “the phrase ‘after eating a good breakfast’ is not essential to the meaning of the sentence…”).

 

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