Writing and Editing Punctuation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
- She needed: pens, paper, and folders.
- She needed the following: pens, paper, and folders. (Correct answer)
- She: needed pens, paper, and folders.
- She needed pens: paper, and folders.
Correct answer: She needed the following: pens, paper, and folders.
A colon should follow a complete independent clause before introducing a list or explanation.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses an ellipsis?
- She said… 'finish it today.'
- The original quote read, 'Edit carefully…and proofread twice.' (Correct answer)
- She paused... and then resigned.
- She said …'finish it.'
Correct answer: The original quote read, 'Edit carefully…and proofread twice.'
An ellipsis inside a quotation indicates that words have been omitted from the original.
Question 3: Which sentence uses hyphens correctly in a compound modifier?
- She submitted a well written report.
- She submitted a well-written report. (Correct answer)
- She submitted a well, written report.
- She submitted a wellwritten report.
Correct answer: She submitted a well-written report.
Hyphenate compound modifiers that appear before the noun they modify.
Question 4: Which punctuation mark is used to indicate a sudden break or interruption in dialogue?
- Ellipsis (…)
- Em dash (—) (Correct answer)
- Semicolon (;)
- Colon (:)
Correct answer: Em dash (—)
An em dash signals an abrupt interruption or break in thought within dialogue.
Question 5: Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?
- The AP Stylebook (first published in 1953), is widely used.
- The AP Stylebook (first published in 1953) is widely used. (Correct answer)
- The AP Stylebook, (first published in 1953) is widely used.
- The AP Stylebook first published (in 1953) is widely used.
Correct answer: The AP Stylebook (first published in 1953) is widely used.
Parentheses enclose supplementary information without requiring additional commas outside them.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly punctuates a direct question within a statement?
- She asked whether the draft was ready?
- She asked, 'Is the draft ready?' (Correct answer)
- She asked 'Is the draft ready'?
- She asked; 'Is the draft ready?'
Correct answer: She asked, 'Is the draft ready?'
A direct question is enclosed in quotation marks and ends with a question mark inside them.
Writing and Editing Punctuation 2
Which sentence correctly uses a colon?