Punctuation Quiz

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

• I can't wait for the weekend; I have plans to go hiking.

• I need to buy: milk, eggs, and bread.

• She loves to read she reads every night.

• He is very hungry: he could eat a whole pizza.

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

• Before you go out: make sure to take your keys.

• He has three hobbies: painting, reading, and jogging.

• She wanted one thing from the store; milk.

• We have a big test tomorrow; we should study.

Choose the sentence where a semicolon is used to separate items in a complex list.

• We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany.

• I need to clean my room, wash the dishes, and take out the trash.

• He likes to play soccer: especially as a goalkeeper.

• She said she was going shopping, however, she went to the movies.

Which sentence incorrectly uses a colon or a semicolon?

• She has two options: start a new project or finish the old one.

• I have many favorite foods; pizza, burgers, and pasta.

• It was a wonderful day; the sun was shining and the birds were singing.

• They plan to visit several countries: Spain, France, and Italy.

What is the correct way to fix the following sentence? "He enjoys many types of books; novels, biographies, and science fiction."

• He enjoys many types of books, novels, biographies, and science fiction.

• He enjoys many types of books: novels, biographies, and science fiction.

• He enjoys many types of books; novels: biographies, and science fiction.

• He enjoys many types of books. Novels, biographies, and science fiction.

Select the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to link related independent clauses.

• She loves cooking, her sister prefers baking.

• He is very tired; he has been working all day.

• There are many colors to choose from: red, blue, and green.

• We can go to the beach, or we can go to the park.

Which sentence correctly uses both a colon and a semicolon?

• She has all the ingredients for a cake: flour, sugar, and eggs; and she will start baking soon.

• He needs to buy the following items: bread, milk, and cheese; he also needs to pick up the dry cleaning.

• We can go to the movies: either the comedy or the drama; or we can just stay home.

• I have two favorite activities: reading; and hiking in the mountains.

Identify the sentence where the semicolon is used incorrectly.

• I have a big test tomorrow; I should study instead of watching TV.

• She was late to work; her alarm didn't go off.

• They're going to the beach; however, they need to stop for gas first.

• We could go to the movies; or we could go bowling.