Free ACT English: Punctuation for Clauses and Phrases Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction?
- The storm intensified overnight, so the evacuation order was issued at dawn. (Correct answer)
- The storm intensified overnight so, the evacuation order was issued at dawn.
- The storm intensified overnight, so, the evacuation order was issued.
- The storm intensified overnight so the evacuation order, was issued.
Correct answer: The storm intensified overnight, so the evacuation order was issued at dawn.
When a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) joins two independent clauses, place a comma before the conjunction. "The storm intensified overnight" and "the evacuation order was issued at dawn" are both independent clauses.
Question 2: Identify the correct use of a colon: Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
- The recipe requires three main ingredients: flour, eggs, and butter. (Correct answer)
- The recipe requires: flour, eggs, and butter.
- The recipe requires three main ingredients, flour, eggs, and butter.
- The recipe requires three main ingredients; flour, eggs, and butter.
Correct answer: The recipe requires three main ingredients: flour, eggs, and butter.
A colon correctly follows a complete independent clause to introduce a list. "The recipe requires three main ingredients" is complete. Placing a colon directly after a verb ("requires:") is incorrect.
Question 3: Which correctly punctuates an introductory adverb clause?
- Although she had never skied before, she completed the advanced slope. (Correct answer)
- Although she had never skied before she completed the advanced slope.
- Although, she had never skied before, she completed the advanced slope.
- She completed the advanced slope, although she had never skied before,
Correct answer: Although she had never skied before, she completed the advanced slope.
Introductory adverb clauses ("Although she had never skied before") are followed by a comma before the main clause. When the adverb clause comes at the end, no comma is needed.
Question 4: Which sentence uses dashes correctly to set off a parenthetical phrase?
- The winning team—the one that had practiced the longest—received the trophy. (Correct answer)
- The winning team — the one that, had practiced the longest — received the trophy.
- The winning team—the one that had practiced the longest, received the trophy.
- The winning team, the one that had practiced the longest—received the trophy.
Correct answer: The winning team—the one that had practiced the longest—received the trophy.
Em dashes are used in pairs to set off a nonessential parenthetical phrase. Both dashes must be present, and no comma should be used alongside a dash in this construction.
Question 5: Which correctly punctuates this sentence with a nonrestrictive appositive? "My older sister [BLANK] a marine biologist [BLANK] studies coral reef ecosystems."
- "My older sister, a marine biologist, studies coral reef ecosystems." (Correct answer)
- "My older sister a marine biologist studies coral reef ecosystems."
- "My older sister, a marine biologist studies coral reef ecosystems."
- "My older sister — a marine biologist studies coral reef ecosystems."
Correct answer: "My older sister, a marine biologist, studies coral reef ecosystems."
Nonrestrictive appositives (non-essential identifying phrases) are enclosed by commas on both sides. "A marine biologist" is additional information, not essential to identify which sister.
Question 6: When should a semicolon NOT be used?
- Between an independent clause and a dependent clause: "She studied hard; because she wanted to pass." (Correct answer)
- Between two closely related independent clauses: "He ran; she walked."
- Before a conjunctive adverb: "It rained; however, they continued the game."
- To separate items in a list that already contains commas: "Paris, France; Rome, Italy; Madrid, Spain."
Correct answer: Between an independent clause and a dependent clause: "She studied hard; because she wanted to pass."
Semicolons connect independent clauses only. "Because she wanted to pass" is a dependent clause and cannot be connected with a semicolon. A comma (or no punctuation before "because") is correct.
Free ACT English: Punctuation for Clauses and Phrases Questions and Answers 2
Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction?