Punctuation Quiz

Which sentence needs a semi colon?

• The artist preferred to paint in oils ____ he did not like watercolors.

• Even when the house looks clean ____ there is usually a bunch of dirt swept under the rug.

• The challenges are not impossible ___ but they are very hard to clear.

• If he misses his appointment ____ he’ll have to wait another six months to see the dentist.

It joins two or more separate words into a single word.

• A dash (—)

• A semicolon (;)

• A hyphen (-)

• Parentheses (( ))

It sets off information that interrupts a thought.

• Brackets ([ ]

• A semicolon (;)

• A dash (—)

• A colon (:)

They enclose extra information in a sentence without changing its meaning.

• A semicolon (;)

• A dash (—)

• Parentheses (( ) )

• A semicolon (;)

They add clarifying information within a quotation.

• Parentheses (( ))

• A dash (—)

• Brackets ([ ])

• A hyphen (-)

It introduces information that defines, explains, or provides a list of what came before the colon.

• A colon (:)

• A semicolon (;)

• A hyphen (-)

• Brackets ([ ])

The punctuation mark used to indicate either possession or the omission of letters or numbers.

• comma

• semicolon

• quotation mark

• apostrophe

When should you use a comma to indicate a pause in a sentence?

• Before every conjunction

• After every preposition

• To separate independent clauses

• Between a subject and verb

Which sentence uses a comma correctly with a coordinating conjunction?

• I wanted to go to the party but, I had homework.

• I wanted to go to the party, but I had homework.

• I wanted to go to the party but I, had homework.

• I wanted to go to the party, but, I had homework.

Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly to show possession?

• The dogs' bowl is empty.

• The dog's bowls' are empty.

• The dogs bowl's are empty.

• The dog's bowl is empty.