Comma question

[Orla]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #226 "Homophone test (9)", question 4

Sahara, a beautiful, Arabian, female horse, has a long and sleek ......... because her owner bathes and grooms her on a regular basis.

(a) mein
(b) mane
(c) main
(d) man

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #226 "Homophone test (9)", answer 4

Sahara, a beautiful, Arabian, female horse, has a long and sleek mane because her owner bathes and grooms her on a regular basis.

Correct answer: (b) mane
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Hello, are the commas after beautiful and Arabian really necessary?

Orla

[Yankee]

Hi Orla

Some people say you need commas, and many say you don't need them. I would not use a comma between beautiful and Arabian. I'd also eliminate the other comma and replace 'female horse' with 'mare':

"Sahara, a beautiful Arabian mare, has a long ..."

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English