Semicolon Mastery

What is the definition of a semicolon?

• A semicolon is a punctuation mark.

• A semicolon is a type of food.

• A semicolon is a type of musical instrument.

• A semicolon is a type of insect.

When should a semicolon be used?

• To separate a subject and a verb in a sentence.

• To separate two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

• To separate two dependent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

• To separate items in a list.

Which of the following is an example of using a semicolon to separate two independent clauses? a) I like to play soccer. b) She enjoys reading books. c) He went to the store; she stayed at home. d) They went to the beach and had a picnic.

• a

• c

• b

• d

True or False: A semicolon is used to separate items in a list when the items already contain commas.

• Sometimes

• True

• Only in certain cases

• False

Which of the following is an example of using a semicolon to separate items in a list? a) Apples, oranges, and bananas. b) Red, blue, and yellow. c) Monday; Tuesday; Wednesday. d) Cats, dogs, and birds.

• d) Cats, dogs, and birds.

• b) Red, blue, and yellow.

• c) Monday; Tuesday; Wednesday.

• a) Apples, oranges, and bananas.

True or False: A semicolon can be used instead of a comma to separate two closely related independent clauses.

• Only in formal writing

• True

• False

• Sometimes

Which of the following is an example of using a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses? a) I like to swim, and I like to hike. b) She is studying for her exam; she wants to get a good grade. c) He went to the park, and he played basketball. d) They went to the movies, and they watched a comedy.

• a

• b

• d

• c

True or False: A semicolon is always used before a coordinating conjunction.

• True

• Sometimes

• Only in formal writing

• False

Which of the following is an example of using a semicolon before a coordinating conjunction? a) I like to read books; but I also enjoy watching movies. b) She is studying for her test; and she is confident she will do well. c) He went to the store; or he went to the mall. d) They went to the party; so they had a great time.

• a

• d

• b

• c

True or False: A semicolon is used to separate elements in a complex series or list.

• True

• Sometimes

• Only in formal writing

• False