English 102 Punctuation and Grammar Quiz

Which of the following is punctuated correctly?

• The sun was radiating intensely, however, it commenced to precipitate abruptly.

• The sun was radiating intensely however it commenced to precipitate abruptly.

• The sun was radiating intensely; however, it commenced to precipitate abruptly.

• The sun was radiating intensely; however it commenced to precipitate abruptly.

Answer explanation

The sun was radiating intensely; however, it commenced to precipitate abruptly.

The correct choice uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses and a comma after 'however' to indicate an introductory word.

Select the sentence that correctly utilizes a semicolon.

• C) She has a passion for reading books: she also takes pleasure in writing stories.

• A) She has a passion for reading books, she also takes pleasure in writing stories.

• D) She has a passion for reading books. She also takes pleasure in writing stories.

• B) She has a passion for reading books; she also takes pleasure in writing stories.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence that utilizes a semicolon is B) She has a passion for reading books; she also takes pleasure in writing stories.

A semicolon may be used to join two independent clauses into one sentence.

Identify the sentence that exhibits parallel structure.

• A) The chef prepared the meal, served it, and then he cleaned the kitchen.

• C) The chef prepared the meal, served it, and then cleaning the kitchen.

• D) The chef prepared the meal, serves it, and then cleaned the kitchen.

• B) The chef prepared the meal, serving it, and then cleaned the kitchen.

Answer explanation

The sentence that exhibits parallel structure is A) The chef prepared the meal, served it, and then he cleaned the kitchen. It follows a consistent pattern of verb usage.

Parallel structure creates a common grammatical pattern throughout a sentence.

Select the sentence that correctly employs the use of apostrophes.

Note: There is only one dog.

• C) The dogs' toys were dispersed throughout the yard.

• B) The dog's toys were dispersed throughout the yard.

• D) The dog toys were strewn about the yard.

• A) The dogs toys were strewn about the yard.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is B) The dog's toys were dispersed throughout the yard. It correctly uses the apostrophe to show possession.

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• Running late for the meeting, she hastily grabbed her bag and made a swift exit through the door.

• Running late, for the meeting she hastily grabbed her bag and made a swift exit through the door.

• Running late for the meeting she hastily grabbed her bag, and made a swift exit through the door.

• Running late for the meeting, she hastily grabbed her bag, and made a swift exit through the door.

Answer explanation

The appropriate punctuation is: Running late for the meeting, she hastily grabbed her bag and made a swift exit through the door.

The comma separates the introductory phrase from the main clause.

Select the sentence that correctly utilizes a semicolon.

• A) The concert was phenomenal, and the band performed all their popular songs.

• B) The concert was phenomenal; the band performed all their popular songs.

• D) The concert was phenomenal; and the band performed all their popular songs.

• C) The concert was phenomenal: the band performed all their popular songs.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is B) The concert was phenomenal; the band performed all their popular songs.

The semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses.

Identify the sentence that exhibits parallel structure.

• She takes pleasure in hiking, swimming, and rode her bike.

• She takes pleasure in hiking, swimming, and to ride her bike.

• She takes pleasure in hiking, swim, and riding her bike.

• She takes pleasure in hiking, swimming, and riding her bike.

Answer explanation

The sentence that exhibits parallel structure is B) She takes pleasure in hiking, swimming, and riding her bike.

The consistent verb tense maintains parallel structure in this sentence.

Identify the sentence that correctly utilizes commas.

• I need to buy eggs milk and bread from the store.

• I need to buy eggs, milk, and bread from the store.

• I need to buy eggs, milk and, bread from the store.

• I need to buy eggs, milk and bread, from the store.

Answer explanation

I need to buy eggs, milk, and bread from the store.

This sentence correctly utilizes commas to separate the items in the list: eggs, milk, and bread.

Note: The comma before "and" is called the Oxford comma. This comma is optional in some situations.

Select the sentence that correctly employs the semicolon.

• I have a significant examination tomorrow; I am unable to attend the concert.

• I have a significant examination tomorrow, I am unable to attend the concert.

• I have a significant examination tomorrow; and I am unable to attend the concert.

• I have a significant examination tomorrow, and I am unable to attend the concert.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence that employs the semicolon is: I have a significant examination tomorrow; I am unable to attend the concert.

This sentence uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses into a single sentence.

Identify the sentence that uses passive voice:

• Tom hit John when John stole Tom's hat.

• John was hit by Tom when Tom's hat was stolen by John.

• John stole Tom's hat, so Tom hit John.

• John stole Tom's hat, so Tom hit him.

Answer explanation

John was hit by Tom when Tom's hat was stolen by John.

In a passive voice construction, the subject of the clause receives the action of the verb.