Mastering Punctuation: Commas to Dashes

Rohan is writing a list of his favorite fruits. Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly?

• Rohan's favorite fruits are apples bananas and oranges.

• Rohan's favorite fruits are apples, bananas, and oranges.

• Rohan's favorite fruits are, apples, bananas and oranges.

• Rohan's favorite fruits are apples, bananas and, oranges.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'Rohan's favorite fruits are apples, bananas, and oranges.' It properly uses commas to separate items in a list, including the Oxford comma before 'and' for clarity.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Grace has a big presentation tomorrow; she can't go out tonight. Identify the sentence that uses a semicolon correctly.

• Grace has a big presentation tomorrow; she can't go out tonight.

• Grace has a big presentation tomorrow, she can't go out tonight.

• Grace has a big presentation tomorrow: she can't go out tonight.

• Grace has a big presentation tomorrow - she can't go out tonight.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Grace has a big presentation tomorrow; she can't go out tonight.' A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses, which is done correctly here.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Benjamin had to decide how to spend his weekend. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a colon.

• He had three options: stay home, go to the movies, or visit a friend.

• He had three options; stay home, go to the movies, or visit a friend.

• He had three options, stay home, go to the movies, or visit a friend.

• He had three options - stay home, go to the movies, or visit a friend.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'He had three options: stay home, go to the movies, or visit a friend.' A colon is used here to introduce a list, making it the appropriate punctuation for this context.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Grace was reviewing her report and wondered which of the following sentences uses a dash correctly?

• The results were surprising - they exceeded all expectations.

• The results were surprising, they exceeded all expectations.

• The results were surprising: they exceeded all expectations.

• The results were surprising; they exceeded all expectations.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The results were surprising - they exceeded all expectations.' A dash is used to create a strong break in thought, effectively linking the two related clauses.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Evelyn is writing an article for the school newspaper. Identify the sentence that uses a hyphen correctly.

• The well known author will be speaking tonight.

• The well-known author will be speaking tonight.

• The well known-author will be speaking tonight.

• The well-known-author will be speaking tonight.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The well-known author will be speaking tonight.' because 'well-known' is a compound adjective that requires a hyphen when it precedes a noun.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Henry is packing for a camping trip. Which sentence correctly punctuates the list of items he needs?

• For the trip, we need: a tent, sleeping bags, and a flashlight.

• For the trip, we need a tent, sleeping bags, and a flashlight.

• For the trip, we need; a tent, sleeping bags, and a flashlight.

• For the trip, we need - a tent, sleeping bags, and a flashlight.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'For the trip, we need a tent, sleeping bags, and a flashlight.' It properly lists items without unnecessary punctuation, making it clear and grammatically correct.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Combine the following independent clauses using a semicolon: "Rohan loves to read" and "He visits the library often."

• Rohan loves to read, he visits the library often.

• Rohan loves to read; he visits the library often.

• Rohan loves to read: he visits the library often.

• Rohan loves to read - he visits the library often.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Rohan loves to read; he visits the library often.' A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses that are closely related, while the other options use incorrect punctuation.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Arjun was writing an article and needed to know: Which sentence correctly differentiates between a dash and a hyphen?

• The long-term plan was successful - it exceeded expectations.

• The long-term plan was successful; it exceeded expectations.

• The long term-plan was successful - it exceeded expectations.

• The long-term plan was successful, it exceeded expectations.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The long-term plan was successful - it exceeded expectations.' because it uses a dash to connect two related clauses, while the other options either misuse punctuation or do not differentiate between a dash and a hyphen.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Michael is preparing a presentation. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a colon to introduce a list.

• The grocery list includes: apples, bananas, and oranges.

• The grocery list includes apples, bananas, and oranges.

• The grocery list includes; apples, bananas, and oranges.

• The grocery list includes - apples, bananas, and oranges.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The grocery list includes: apples, bananas, and oranges.' because a colon is used to introduce a list after a complete sentence. The other options misuse punctuation.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Grace, Benjamin, and Nora are planning a trip. Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas to separate the cities they will visit.

• We visited Paris, London, Rome and Berlin.

• We visited Paris, London, Rome, and Berlin.

• We visited Paris London, Rome, and Berlin.

• We visited Paris, London, Rome and, Berlin.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'We visited Paris, London, Rome, and Berlin.' because it properly uses commas to separate the items in the list, including the Oxford comma before 'and' for clarity.

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DOK Level 1: Recall