English ACT Test Practice: Punctuation

Front

What is the purpose of dashes in a sentence?

Back

Dashes are used to create emphasis, indicate a break in thought, or set off additional information.

Front

How do you correctly use dashes in a sentence?

Back

Dashes should be placed before and after the information they set off, without spaces.

Front

What is the correct punctuation for a list in a sentence?

Back

Use commas to separate items in a list, and an 'and' before the last item.

Front

When should a semicolon be used?

Back

A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

Front

What is the function of a conjunctive adverb?

Back

A conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses and shows the relationship between them.

Front

Where should a semicolon be placed in relation to a conjunctive adverb?

Back

A semicolon should be placed before the conjunctive adverb.

Front

What is an end mark in a sentence?

Back

An end mark is punctuation that indicates the end of a sentence, such as a period, question mark, or exclamation point.

Front

How do you determine the correct end mark for a sentence?

Back

Consider the sentence's intent: a statement ends with a period, a question with a question mark, and an exclamation with an exclamation point.

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or'.

Front

Why is the Oxford comma important?

Back

It helps clarify the meaning of a sentence and prevents ambiguity.