OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Applying Punctuation Rules Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to separate items in a series?
- For our hike we need to bring water snacks a map and a first-aid kit.
- For our hike, we need to bring water, snacks, a map, and a first-aid kit. (Correct answer)
- For our hike we need to bring, water, snacks, a map, and a first-aid kit.
- For our hike we need to bring water, snacks a map and a first-aid kit.
Correct answer: For our hike, we need to bring water, snacks, a map, and a first-aid kit.
When listing three or more items in a series, a comma should be placed after each item to separate it from the next. The comma before the conjunction 'and' (the Oxford or serial comma) is standard in formal writing to prevent ambiguity.
Question 2: A student is writing about a project completed by her colleague, Jess. Which sentence shows the correct use of an apostrophe for possession?
- Jess's project was selected as the winner. (Correct answer)
- Jess' project was selected as the winner.
- The project of Jess' was selected as the winner.
- Jesses project was selected as the winner.
Correct answer: Jess's project was selected as the winner.
To show possession for a singular noun, even one that ends in 's', the standard rule is to add an apostrophe and another 's' ('s).
Question 3: Which of the following sentences correctly punctuates the dialogue?
- "What is the password for the Wi-Fi." asked the visitor.
- "What is the password for the Wi-Fi"? asked the visitor.
- "What is the password for the Wi-Fi," asked the visitor.
- "What is the password for the Wi-Fi?" asked the visitor. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: "What is the password for the Wi-Fi?" asked the visitor.
When a direct quote is a question, the question mark must be placed inside the closing quotation mark.
Question 4: A student wants to join two closely related independent clauses without using a conjunction like 'and' or 'but'. Which sentence does this correctly?
- The library is quiet today, it's the perfect place to study.
- The library is quiet today; it's the perfect place to study. (Correct answer)
- The library is quiet today it's the perfect place to study.
- The library is quiet today: it's the perfect place to study.
Correct answer: The library is quiet today; it's the perfect place to study.
A semicolon (;) is used to connect two closely related independent clauses (complete sentences) without a coordinating conjunction. Using only a comma creates a 'comma splice' error.
Question 5: Which of the following sentences requires a question mark at the end?
- She asked what time the bus was scheduled to arrive
- I wonder if the package has been delivered yet
- Could you please tell me how to get to the main office (Correct answer)
- He wanted to know if the assignment was due today
Correct answer: Could you please tell me how to get to the main office
A direct question, which asks something of the reader, must end with a question mark. The other sentences are indirect questions; they are statements that report a question and should end with a period.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses?
- The movie was long but it was very entertaining.
- The movie was long, but it was very entertaining. (Correct answer)
- The movie was long, it was very entertaining.
- The movie was long but, it was very entertaining.
Correct answer: The movie was long, but it was very entertaining.
When connecting two independent clauses (complete sentences) with a coordinating conjunction like 'but', a comma must be placed before the conjunction.
OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Applying Punctuation Rules Questions and Answers
Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to separate items in a series?