English Grammar Test Punctuation Rules 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses a comma splice incorrectly?
- I went to the store, and I bought milk.
- She was tired, she went to bed. (Correct answer)
- Although he was late, he stayed.
- Before leaving, lock the door.
Correct answer: She was tired, she went to bed.
A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses an exclamation point with a quotation?
- She yelled, "Watch out!" (Correct answer)
- She yelled, "Watch out"!
- She yelled, "Watch out,"!
- She yelled! "Watch out."
Correct answer: She yelled, "Watch out!"
The exclamation point goes inside the quotation marks when it belongs to the quoted speech.
Question 3: Which correctly demonstrates how to make a singular noun ending in 's' possessive?
- James' car
- James's car
- Either is acceptable by style guide (Correct answer)
- Jamess' car
Correct answer: Either is acceptable by style guide
Both 'James' car' and 'James's car' are accepted depending on the style guide (AP vs. Chicago) used.
Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory phrase?
- After the long meeting we went to lunch.
- After the long meeting, we went to lunch. (Correct answer)
- After, the long meeting we went to lunch.
- After the long meeting we, went to lunch.
Correct answer: After the long meeting, we went to lunch.
A comma follows an introductory prepositional or participial phrase before the main clause.
Question 5: What does an ellipsis at the end of a sentence indicate in creative writing?
- An abrupt interruption
- A trailing off or unfinished thought (Correct answer)
- The omission of a word
- A change in topic
Correct answer: A trailing off or unfinished thought
In creative writing, an ellipsis signals that a thought is trailing off, leaving something unsaid.
Question 6: Which is correct when using a colon to introduce a quotation?
- Lincoln wrote, "Four score and seven years ago..."
- Lincoln wrote: "Four score and seven years ago..." (Correct answer)
- Lincoln wrote: four score and seven years ago...
- Lincoln wrote, four score and seven years ago...
Correct answer: Lincoln wrote: "Four score and seven years ago..."
A colon (rather than a comma) is used to introduce a longer or more formal quotation.
Question 7: Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of parentheses versus brackets?
- He [the president] announced the decision.
- He (the president) announced the decision. (Correct answer)
- He {the president} announced the decision.
- He —the president— announced the decision.
Correct answer: He (the president) announced the decision.
Parentheses add supplementary information in regular prose; brackets are used for editorial insertions within quoted text.
English Grammar Test Punctuation Rules 5
Which sentence uses a comma splice incorrectly?