COMPOUND NOUNS
The compound noun heartbreak combines the nouns heart and break. What meaning does heartbreak suggest in the following sentence?
After her best friend moved across the country without saying goodbye, Maya experienced true heartbreak.
A. A medical condition affecting the cardiovascular system
B. Intense emotional pain or devastating sadness
C. A physical injury to the chest area
D. A disagreement between two people in love
B. Intense emotional pain or devastating sadness
The storm approached quickly. Everyone ran inside for shelter.
Which sentence shows a semicolon correctly used to combine the sentences?
A. The storm approached quickly; and everyone ran inside for shelter.
B. The storm approached; quickly everyone ran inside for shelter.
C. The storm approached quickly; everyone ran inside for shelter.
D. The storm; approached quickly everyone ran inside for shelter.
The storm approached quickly; everyone ran inside for shelter.
Which sentence is capitalized correctly?
A. My Aunt Martha is coming to visit us this Summer.
B. My aunt Martha is coming to visit us this summer.
C. My Aunt Martha is coming to visit us this summer.
D. My aunt Martha is coming to visit us this Summer.
B. My aunt Martha is coming to visit us this summer.
Explanation: "Aunt" is only capitalized when used as part of her name (Aunt Martha) or when used in place of her name. Family titles like "my aunt" are not capitalized. Seasons (summer, fall, winter, spring) are never capitalized unless they begin a sentence.
Is this a run-on sentence?
The cafeteria was serving pizza for lunch, it was everyone's favorite meal.
YES.
Explanation: This is a comma splice. Two complete sentences are joined with only a comma. Should be: "The cafeteria was serving pizza for lunch**;** it was everyone's favorite meal." OR "The cafeteria was serving pizza for lunch**, and** it was everyone's favorite meal."
Capitis
Head
The compound noun nightmare combines the nouns night and mare (an old word for an evil spirit). What meaning does nightmare suggest in the following sentence?
The final exam was such a nightmare that half the class failed despite studying for weeks.
A. A scary dream that occurs during sleep
B. Something that happens only at nighttime
C. A terrifying or extremely difficult experience
D. A supernatural creature that appears in darkness
C. A terrifying or extremely difficult experience
Sarah studied all night for the exam. She felt confident about her performance.
Which sentence shows a semicolon correctly used to combine the sentences?
A. Sarah studied all night for the exam; she felt confident about her performance.
B. Sarah studied all night; for the exam she felt confident about her performance.
C. Sarah studied; all night for the exam she felt confident about her performance.
D. Sarah studied all night for the exam and; she felt confident about her performance.
A. Sarah studied all night for the exam; she felt confident about her performance.
Which sentence is capitalized correctly?
A. The Students at Pensacola Catholic High School celebrated after winning the Championship.
B. The students at Pensacola Catholic High School celebrated after winning the championship.
C. The students at Pensacola catholic high school celebrated after winning the Championship.
D. The Students at Pensacola Catholic high school celebrated after winning the Championship.
B. The students at Pensacola Catholic High School celebrated after winning the championship.
Explanation: "Students" is a common noun and should not be capitalized mid-sentence. School names are proper nouns and should be fully capitalized (Pensacola Catholic High School). "Championship" is a common noun here and should not be capitalized.
Is this a run-on sentence?
Maria finished her essay early, so she had time to proofread it carefully before the deadline.
No.
Explanation: This is correct. The two clauses are properly joined with a comma + coordinating conjunction "so."
Cerebrum
brain
The compound noun spotlight combines the nouns spot and light. What meaning does spotlight suggest in the following sentence?
Ever since she won the championship, Rebecca has been in the spotlight, with reporters constantly asking for interviews.
A. A bright beam of light focused on one area
B. The center of public attention or fame
C. A small illuminated area on a stage
D. A type of lamp used in theaters
B. The center of public attention or fame
The concert was canceled due to rain. The fans were extremely disappointed.
Which sentence shows a semicolon correctly used to combine the sentences?
A. The concert was canceled; due to rain the fans were extremely disappointed.
B. The concert was canceled due to rain; the fans were extremely disappointed.
C. The concert; was canceled due to rain the fans were extremely disappointed.
D. The concert was canceled due to rain and; the fans were extremely disappointed.
B. The concert was canceled due to rain; the fans were extremely disappointed.
Which sentence is capitalized correctly?
A. Last tuesday, we studied the american revolution in History class.
B. Last Tuesday, we studied the American Revolution in history class.
C. Last Tuesday, we studied the American revolution in History Class.
D. Last tuesday, we studied the american revolution in history class.
B. Last Tuesday, we studied the American Revolution in history class.
Explanation: Days of the week (Tuesday) are always capitalized. Historical events (American Revolution) are capitalized. School subjects are only capitalized if they are languages (English, Spanish) or proper nouns (World History II); general subjects like "history class" are not capitalized.
Is this a run-on sentence?
The movie started at seven o'clock we arrived just in time to see the previews.
Yes.
Explanation: This is a fused sentence (also called a run-on). Two complete sentences are joined with no punctuation at all. Should be: "The movie started at seven o'clock**;** we arrived just in time to see the previews."
Facies
Face
The compound noun roadblock combines the nouns road and block. What meaning does roadblock suggest in the following sentence?
Insufficient funding proved to be a major roadblock in completing the community center project on time.
A. A physical barrier placed across a street
B. A checkpoint where police stop vehicles
C. An obstacle that prevents progress or success
D. A construction zone that closes part of a highway
C. An obstacle that prevents progress or success
Marcus finished his homework early. He had time to play video games before dinner.
Which sentence shows a semicolon correctly used to combine the sentences?
A. Marcus finished his homework early; he had time to play video games before dinner.
B. Marcus finished; his homework early he had time to play video games before dinner.
C. Marcus finished his homework; early he had time to play video games before dinner.
D. Marcus finished his homework early and; he had time to play video games before dinner.
A. Marcus finished his homework early; he had time to play video games before dinner.
Which sentence is capitalized correctly?
A. We're reading romeo and juliet in english class this Spring.
B. We're reading Romeo And Juliet in English class this spring.
C. We're reading Romeo and Juliet in English class this spring.
D. We're reading Romeo and Juliet in english class this Spring.
C. We're reading Romeo and Juliet in English class this spring.
Explanation: Book and play titles capitalize the first word, last word, and all major words; small words like "and" are lowercase (Romeo and Juliet). Languages are always capitalized (English). Seasons are not capitalized (spring).
Is this a run-on sentence?
Although the weather forecast predicted rain, we decided to go hiking anyway.
No.
Explanation: This is correct. "Although the weather forecast predicted rain" is a dependent clause (not a complete sentence), so the comma is appropriate. This is a complex sentence, not a run-on.
Supercilium
eyebrow
The compound noun backbone combines the nouns back and bone. What meaning does backbone suggest in the following sentence?
It takes real backbone to admit when you're wrong and apologize in front of everyone.
A. The spinal column that supports the body
B. Courage, strength of character, or determination
C. The most important person in an organization
D. Physical strength or athletic ability
B. Courage, strength of character, or determination
The library closes at eight o'clock. Students must leave by then.
Which sentence shows a semicolon correctly used to combine the sentences?
A. The library closes at eight o'clock and; students must leave by then.
B. The library; closes at eight o'clock students must leave by then.
C. The library closes; at eight o'clock students must leave by then.
D. The library closes at eight o'clock; students must leave by then.
D. The library closes at eight o'clock; students must leave by then.
Which sentence is capitalized correctly?
A. The Doctor said that dad needs to take his Medicine twice a day.
B. The doctor said that Dad needs to take his medicine twice a day.
C. The doctor said that dad needs to take his Medicine twice a day.
D. The Doctor said that Dad needs to take his medicine twice a Day.
B. The doctor said that Dad needs to take his medicine twice a day.
Explanation: Occupational titles like "doctor" are not capitalized unless used directly before a name (Dr. Smith). Family titles are capitalized when used in place of a name (talking TO Dad) or as part of their name, so "Dad" is capitalized here. "Medicine" and "day" are common nouns and not capitalized.
Is this a run-on sentence?
Jake wanted to join the basketball team, he practiced shooting free throws every afternoon after school.
Yes.
Explanation: This is a comma splice. Two complete sentences are joined with only a comma. Should be: "Jake wanted to join the basketball team**;** he practiced..." OR "Jake wanted to join the basketball team**, so** he practiced..."
Gurgitis
throat