Punctuation
Choose the most effective punctuation for the underlined portion: 'The architect had a singular vision for the skyscraper; it had to be sustainable, aesthetically striking, and accessible to the public.'
A.skyscraper: it
B.skyscraper; it
C.skyscraper it
D.skyscraper, it
A
A colon is used to introduce an explanation or a specific expansion of a preceding independent clause.
Choose the correctly punctuated version: 'The explorer brought several essential items: a compass, a matches, and a map.'
A.items including: a compass,
B.items, a compass,
C.items: a compass,
D.items; a compass,
C
A colon is correctly used here because it follows a full independent clause and introduces a list.
None of the money belong to me
A belongs B belonging C no change
A
Many students struggle with time management they often procrastinate until the night before an assignment is due.
Which revision most effectively combines the two independent clauses into a grammatically correct sentence?
A. NO CHANGE
B. management, they often
C. management; they often
D. management, which they often
C
The local bookstore hosts weekly poetry readings, it draws crowds of literature lovers from across the city.
add an "and" or semicolon
Find the error: 'The team's strategy was simple: focus on defense; and wait for an opening.'
A.wait for an opening
B.simple: focus
C.strategy was simple
D.defense; and
D
A semicolon should not be used before a coordinating conjunction like 'and' unless the items are complex list members.
What is the correct punctuation for this complex sentence? 'The museum is closing for renovations; however, the outdoor sculpture garden will remain open.'
A.renovations; however,
B.renovations, however
C.renovations: however,
D.renovations; however
A
A semicolon is required before a conjunctive adverb like 'however' when it joins two independent clauses.
Neither the coach nor the players (A. was / B. were / C. has been / D. is) satisfied with the referees’ calls during the championship game.
were
After finishing her presentation, the audience gave the speaker a standing ovation, it lasted for nearly a full minute.
Which option corrects the comma splice in the sentence?
A. NO CHANGE
B. ovation; it lasted
C. ovation, which lasting
D. ovation and it lasted
B
Running to catch the morning bus, the rain soaked my backpack completely.
When I was running to catch the morning bus, the rain soaked my backpack completely.
Which of the following is punctuated correctly regarding parentheses? 'The budget for the project (which was approved last Tuesday) remains confidential.'
A.project, (which was approved last Tuesday), remains
B.project (which was approved last Tuesday remains)
C.project (which was approved last Tuesday), remains
D.project (which was approved last Tuesday) remains
D
Parentheses are used to enclose supplemental information that is not essential to the sentence's grammatical structure.
Choose the correct punctuation: 'She only had one thing on her mind—winning.'
A.
mind—winning.
B.
mind; winning.
C.
mind, winning.
D.
mind: winning,
Right answer A
A single dash can be used to introduce an emphatic or dramatic conclusion at the end of a sentence.
It is essential that every participant (A. wears / B. wear / C. wore / D. wearing) protective gear at all times during the chemical handling demonstration
wear
The research team concluded that the new drug was effective, safe, and low in side effects.
Which revision creates a parallel structure in the sentence?
A. NO CHANGE
B. effective, safe, and had very few side effects
C. effective, safe, and had a minimal number of side effects
D. effective, safe, and had low side events
A
My weekend plans include hiking in the mountains, trying a new bakery, and to watch the sunset over the lake.
My weekend plans include hiking in the mountains, trying a new bakery, and watching the sunset over the lake.
The committee was tasked with several responsibilities: such as auditing the budget, hiring new staff, and drafting the annual report.
A. NO CHANGE B. responsibilities such as: C. responsibilities: D. responsibilities, such as
D
Choice A and B are wrong because you cannot use a colon with "such as." Choice C is wrong because it's redundant. Use a comma to lead into "such as."
Question 9: The Appositive Dash
The chef’s signature dish—a savory blend of saffron, rice, and local seafood—was inspired by his travels through the coastal villages of Spain.
A. NO CHANGE B. dish; a savory blend of saffron, rice, and local seafood; was C. dish, a savory blend of saffron, rice, and local seafood was D. dish: a savory blend of saffron, rice, and local seafood, was
The Trap: Using semicolons to set off a description. Semicolons can only set off items in a list if those items already contain commas. Otherwise, use dashes or commas.
A
This is a "non-essential" interrupter. It must be surrounded by two dashes, two commas, or two parentheses. Choice B is wrong because semicolons can't "interrupt" a single clause.
No one except the original developers, who wrote the code from scratch, (A. understand / B. understands / C. have understood / D. were understanding) the complex algorithm that powers the AI system.
understands
Hiking through the dense forest, the sound of birds chirping filled the air and relaxed the weary travelers.
The sentence above contains a dangling modifier. Which revision best fixes this error?
A. NO CHANGE
B. Hiking through the dense forest, the weary travelers were relaxed by the sound of birds chirping filling the air.
C. As we hiked through the dense forest, the sound of birds chirping filled the air and relaxed the weary travelers.
D. The dense forest, hiked through by us, the sound of birds chirping filled the air and relaxed the weary travelers.
C
I found a vintage camera at the flea market with a leather case and brass details.
I found a vintage camera with a leather case and brass details at the flea market。
Identify the correct punctuation for the list: 'The study abroad program includes stops in several major cities: Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Madrid, Spain.'
A.cities, Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and
B.cities: Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and
C.cities; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and
D.cities: Paris, France, Rome, Italy and
B
Semicolons are used to separate items in a list when the items themselves already
contain commas.
The team's research was groundbreaking in the field of robotics; but, the lack of funding prevented them from developing a prototype for the upcoming expo.
A. NO CHANGE B. robotics; however, C. robotics, but D. robotics: but
C
You use Comma + FANBOYS or a Semicolon + Transition Word. You cannot mix them (A).
The Trap: You see a transition word ("but") and think it needs heavy punctuation. However, "but" is a FANBOYS conjunction. You cannot use a semicolon and a FANBOYS together to join two sentences.
By the time the archaeologists arrived at the site, looters (A. had removed / B. removed / C. have removed / D. were removing) most of the ancient artifacts.
had removed
The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests with fresh herbs and organic vegetables grown in her backyard.
The underlined portion creates ambiguity about what “with fresh herbs and organic vegetables grown in her backyard” describes. Which revision eliminates this ambiguity and clarifies the sentence’s meaning?
A. NO CHANGE
B. The chef, with fresh herbs and organic vegetables grown in her backyard, prepared a delicious meal for the guests.
C. The chef prepared a delicious meal with fresh herbs and organic vegetables grown in her backyard for the guests.
D. The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests, using fresh herbs and organic vegetables grown in her backyard.
D
The box of old letters and postcards were tucked away in the attic for decades.
The box of old letters and postcards was tucked away in the attic for decades.