SAT Practice Quiz. Colon Practice 1.2

I need to buy groceries. I need apples. I need bread. I need eggs. Which of the following is the correct way to rewrite this list using a colon?

• I need to buy groceries: apples, bread, and eggs.

• I need to buy groceries: apples; bread; and eggs.

• I need to: buy groceries, apples, bread, and eggs.

• I need: to buy groceries, apples, bread, and eggs.

In 1848, as a first-term Congressman, Abraham Lincoln defended the right of self-government for Texas when he said, “Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable – a most sacred right – a right, which we hope and believe, is to liberate the world.”

How would this be correctly written using a colon?

• • A. In 1848, as a first-term Congressman, Abraham Lincoln defended the right of self-government for Texas when he said:
    “Any people anywhere…”

• • B. In 1848, as a first-term Congressman, Abraham Lincoln defended the right of self-government for Texas when he said “Any people anywhere…”

• C. In 1848, as a first-term Congressman, Abraham Lincoln defended the right of self-government for Texas when he said:
  Any people anywhere…

• D. No error

Answer explanation

When using a quotation longer than three lines, the quotation should be introduced with a colon, not a comma. It should also have a blank space above and below it.

Additionally, quotations this long should be indented.

Finally, quotation marks should not enclose such spaced, indented, longer quotations. The form of the quotation presented in the question breaks all of these rules. Choice A contains a colon and the quotation is indented, but quotation marks are incorrectly used and there is no space above or below the quotation. Choice B has no punctuation to introduce the quotation. There are no indentations or spaces, and it includes quotation marks.

Identify the correct choice to properly rewrite the following sentences.

Whole grains are better than refined grains; they have more fiber. They are also more filling.

• than refined grains: they have

• than refined grains: They have

• than refined grains, they have

• error

Answer explanation

The second independent clause of the first sentence explains the first independent clause. When this is the case, separate the two clauses with a colon, not a semicolon. If only one explanatory clause or sentence follows the first clause, do not capitalize the first word of the second clause. However, if two or more explanatory clauses or sentences follow the first, as in this example, the first word of the second clause should be capitalized. Using a comma to separate independent clauses is incorrect.

Identify which choice uses the best grammar to correct the sentence.

The ideal candidate will be able to (1) do research, (2) write articles, and (3) edit and proofread.

• will be able to:

• The ideal candidate: will

• to (1): do research, (2): write articles, and (3): edit and proofread

• No error

Answer explanation

When listing items, no colon is used unless a complete sentence precedes the list. In this example, “The ideal candidate will be able to” is not a complete sentence, so no colon is used.

There is no reason to place a colon between “candidate” (the subject) and “will.” It is incorrect to put colons after each number in the list.

Identify which choice correctly improves the grammar of the following sentence:

You must bring basic supplies to class, such as: a pen or pencil, paper, a calculator, and a textbook.

• supplies to class, such as a pen or pencil, paper, a calculator, and a textbook.

• supplies to class: such as, a pen or pencil, paper, a calculator, and a textbook.

• supplies to class: such as: a pen or pencil, paper, a calculator, and a textbook.

• No error

Answer explanation

A rule for using colons is to add one between a complete sentence and a list of items in the absence of introductory words. In this example, the introductory words are “such as,” precluding the need for a colon. No punctuation is needed before or after “such as.” Without these words, a colon would be correct (e.g. “You must bring basic supplies to class: a pen or pencil…”)

The use of a colon is unnecessary when it is preceded by "such as", "including", or "for example". These phrases already tell the reader that a list follows.