Cap-Punc Pre-Test Hyphens, Dashes, Parentheses, and Brackets

Which of the following sentences uses a hyphen correctly?

• The well known author will be signing books today.

• The well-known author will be signing books today.

• The well known-author will be signing books today.

• The well-known-author will be signing books today.

Identify the sentence that correctly distinguishes between a hyphen and a dash.

• I need to buy some sugar-free cookies—they are my favorite.

• I need to buy some sugar free cookies - they are my favorite.

• I need to buy some sugar-free cookies - they are my favorite.

• I need to buy some sugar free cookies—they are my favorite.

Which sentence correctly uses parentheses?

• The concert (which was amazing) ended at midnight.

• The concert which was amazing (ended at midnight).

• The concert (which was amazing ended) at midnight.

• The concert which (was amazing) ended at midnight.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses brackets.

• The teacher said, "You must [complete] the assignment by Friday."

• The teacher said, "You must complete [the assignment] by Friday."

• The teacher said, "You must complete the assignment [by Friday]."

• The teacher said, "You must [complete the assignment by Friday]."

Which of the following sentences contains a punctuation error?

• My brother-in-law is visiting us next week.

• She loves to read books—especially mysteries.

• The recipe calls for two cups of flour (and a pinch of salt).

• The [dog] barked loudly at the stranger.

Explain why the following sentence is incorrect: "The meeting will be held on Monday (or Tuesday) depending on availability."

• Parentheses should not be used for optional information.

• The sentence should use brackets instead of parentheses.

• The sentence should use dashes instead of parentheses.

• Parentheses should be used for essential information only.

Which sentence demonstrates strategic use of a dash for emphasis?

• She was late to the meeting—again.

• She was late to the meeting, again.

• She was late to the meeting again.

• She was late—to the meeting again.

Analyze the following sentence and identify the error: "The new policy—effective immediately—will require all employees to submit reports weekly."

• The dashes should be replaced with commas.

• The dashes should be replaced with parentheses.

• The sentence is correct as is.

• The dashes should be replaced with hyphens.

In which sentence are hyphens used incorrectly?

• The five-year-old child is very intelligent.

• The well-known artist will be at the gallery.

• The high school students are on a field trip.

• The state-of-the-art technology is impressive.

Evaluate the use of brackets in the following sentence: "The CEO stated, 'We will [definitely] see an increase in profits this quarter.'"

• The brackets are used correctly to add clarification.

• The brackets should be replaced with parentheses.

• The brackets are unnecessary and should be removed.

• The brackets should be replaced with dashes.