Cap-Punc Pre-Test Commas, Semicolons, Colons

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate items in a list?

• I bought apples oranges bananas and grapes.

• I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.

• I bought apples oranges, bananas, and grapes.

• I bought apples, oranges bananas and grapes.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to combine independent clauses.

• She loves to read; she goes to the library every week.

• She loves to read, she goes to the library every week.

• She loves to read: she goes to the library every week.

• She loves to read she goes to the library every week.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a colon to introduce a list.

• For the picnic, we need: sandwiches, fruit, and drinks.

• For the picnic, we need sandwiches: fruit, and drinks.

• For the picnic, we need: sandwiches, fruit, drinks.

• For the picnic: we need sandwiches, fruit, and drinks.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory phrase?

• After the movie we went to dinner.

• After the movie, we went to dinner.

• After the movie; we went to dinner.

• After the movie: we went to dinner.

Determine the correct punctuation for the following sentence: "I have a big test tomorrow I can't go out tonight."

• I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow: I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow I can't go out tonight.

Which sentence correctly uses a colon to emphasize the second clause?

• She had one goal: to win the championship.

• She had one goal, to win the championship.

• She had one goal; to win the championship.

• She had one goal to win the championship.

Analyze the following sentence and choose the correct punctuation: "The cake was delicious it was the best I ever had."

• The cake was delicious, it was the best I ever had.

• The cake was delicious; it was the best I ever had.

• The cake was delicious: it was the best I ever had.

• The cake was delicious it was the best I ever had.

Evaluate the sentence and select the correct punctuation: "To succeed in life you need three things a wishbone a backbone and a funny bone."

• To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.

• To succeed in life you need three things; a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.

• To succeed in life you need three things, a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.

• To succeed in life: you need three things a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.

Which sentence correctly uses punctuation to separate two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb?

• I wanted to go for a walk; however, it started to rain.

• I wanted to go for a walk, however, it started to rain.

• I wanted to go for a walk however it started to rain.

• I wanted to go for a walk: however, it started to rain.

Select the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential clause.

• My brother who lives in New York is visiting us.

• My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us.

• My brother who lives in New York, is visiting us.

• My brother, who lives in New York is visiting us.