Punctuation
Separates extra information from the rest of the sentence
double commas or double dashes
Although my brother likes to run
What is a fragment?
a short account of an incident; a short story
anecdote
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
compassion
If students were asked to write essays describing their ideal professions, what would the best way for them to organize their thoughts before writing the essays?
A. Make a list of appealing job characteristics
B. Create a plan for achieving employment goals
C. Discuss careers with a variety of employers
D. Outline their own backgrounds and accomplishments
Answer: A
This punctuation mark has a complete thought on both sides and gives these thoughts more connection than just a period
semicolon
What is a complete thought
break down into components or essential features
analyze
characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
condescending
What transition should be used to introduce the summary of an essay?
A. briefly,
B. In fact,
C. In conclusion,
D. Fortunately
Answer: C
This punctuation mark has a complete thought on the left hand side and one or more examples after
what is a colon
Despite the chill of the cold, we are warm in our cabin.
What is a complete thought
provoke the hostility of
antagonize
one after the other
consecutive
Which synonym for affection most suggests whole-hearted commitment?
A. attachment
B. devotion
C. passion
D. solicitude
Answer: B
This punctuation mark can never separate two complete thoughts by itself
what is a comma
My mother, being a phenomenal cook, a lovely hostess, and just a generally kind person.
fragment
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
apprehensive
bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
correlate
In 1908, William Howard Taft was elected president of the United States after receiving a plurality of more than one million votes over William Jennings Bryan.
What is the correct meaning of the word, plurality, in the sentence?
A. more than half of the votes cast
B. more votes than the other candidate
C. as many votes as one other candidate
D. enough votes to ask for a recount
Answer: B
This punctuation mark, while most often treated like a comma, is difficult to use incorrectly
a dash
The ducks swim.
sentence
remote in manner
aloof
marked by an orderly and consistent relation of parts
coherent
Marco is writing a story about a boy who moves from Mexico City to Los Angeles to live with his grandparents. He begins by telling about the boy's feelings: his fears about living in a new city and his bouts of homesickness for his parents. Early in the story, the boy finds a mysterious package tucked away in the trunk of a tree in Griffith Park. In the rest of the story, he solves the mystery of the package and finds that he is beginning to feel at home in his new city.
Which of the following is probably the best advice for Marco?
A. He should concentrate on the boy's feelings and forget about the mystery
B. He should focus on the mystery and give little attention to the boy's feelings
C. If he keeps both plot lines, he will need to write a novel, instead of a story, about the boy's feelings
D. He can use the plot line of the mysterious package to emphasize the changes in the boy's feelings