1. Which revision correctly punctuates the sentence?
'My cousins birthday is next week but I am not sure if she wants a surprise party,' he said.
Solution
Correct: A
The correct answer uses an apostrophe to show possession (cousin's) and a comma before 'but' to separate independent clauses. The quotation mark should close after the reported dialogue but before the attribution. Other options miss apostrophes or punctuation errors at the sentence level.
2. Choose the option that correctly punctuates the underlined phrase:
'I need to read three books by next week,' said my English teacher, ___ and I think this is unfair.
Solution
Correct: A
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3. Identify the correctly punctuated sentence that combines the two independent clauses:
She was exhausted. The party lasted until midnight.
Solution
Correct: A
A semicolon is correct when joining two independent clauses without a conjunction. 'However' as a conjunctive adverb requires a semicolon before it and a comma after. Colons can only introduce lists or explanations, and a comma alone would create a comma splice.
4. Which option correctly places punctuation in the sentence?
'I think', she whispered ___ 'this is the key!',
Solution
Correct: D
When interrupting direct speech, use commas to correctly separate the dialogue and attribution. The first comma closes the dialogue, the attribution follows, and the second comma reintroduces the speech. Colons and semicolons are not appropriate for this structure.
5. Select the correctly punctuated list of items.
For the picnic, we packed ___ sandwiches, fruit, watermelon, and chips.
Solution
Correct: C
The Oxford comma before 'and' is acceptable in formal writing and avoids ambiguity. Other options incorrectly use a semicolon, omit a necessary comma, or misuse a colon at the list's end.
6. Which punctuation mark correctly replaces the blank? 'The article argues that technology ___ not solve social problems.'
Solution
Correct: B
The sentence uses the contraction 'doesn't' (does not) to show negation. The apostrophe replaces the missing 'o' in 'not.' Options with incorrect apostrophe placement or use of a colon instead of the contraction are invalid.
7. Revise the sentence to show correct punctuation:
He ran to the store ___ bought groceries.
Solution
Correct: A
When two independent clauses are joined by a conjunction like 'and,' a comma is needed before the conjunction. A colon or semicolon can separate independent clauses without a conjunction, but 'then' here is not a conjunction. The correct structure requires a comma before 'and.'
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