ITBS Punctuation Practice

Which sentence correctly uses commas?

• James clenched his teeth, made a fist, and took a deep breath.

• James clenched his teeth made a fist and took a deep breath.

• James clenched his teeth made a fist, and took a deep breath.

• James clenched his teeth, made a fist, and, took a deep breath.

Which sentence correctly uses commas?

• I need salt, pepper, and, onion powder.

• I, need salt pepper, and onion powder.

• I need salt, pepper, and onion powder.

• I need salt pepper and onion powder.

Which sentence correctly uses commas?

• My cat Maxie runs behind the couch whenever the doorbell rings the dog barks or I start to vacuum.

• My cat Maxie, runs, behind the couch whenever, the doorbell rings the dog barks or I start to vacuum.

• My cat Maxie runs behind, the couch whenever the doorbell rings the, dog barks or I start to vacuum.

• My cat Maxie runs behind the couch whenever the doorbell rings, the dog barks, or I start to vacuum.

Which of the following is punctuated correctly?

• I need to finish my afternoon chores: clean the bathroom dust the living room and put my laundry away.

• I need to finish: my afternoon, chores, clean, the bathroom, dust, the living room, and put my laundry away.

• I need to finish my afternoon chores: clean the bathroom, dust the living room, and put my laundry away.

• I need to finish my afternoon: chores clean, the bathroom, dust the, living room and put my laundry away.

Why is the colon used in the following sentence? You may want to bring the following items: rain coat, mud boots, and umbrella.

• To separate two independent clauses

• To separate two dependent clauses

• To introduce a list

• To indicate how important it is to bring those items

Which punctuation belongs in the blank below? Grandpa has never gone bowling _____ he doesn't think it would be any fun.

• CORRECT without adding punctuation

• Comma [ , ]

• Colon [ : ]

• Semicolon [ ; ]

Why is the semicolon used in the sentence below? My mother doesn't approve of her sister cruising around on a Harley motorcycle; however, Grandma has never cared what anyone thinks.

• To separate two independent clauses

• To separate two dependent clauses

• To introduce a list

• To indicate how important it is to bring those items

Where does the comma go?

After Madeline called Robert decided to do his homework.

• called,

• Madeline,

• Robert,

• his,

Where does the comma go? 
Before the house fell down the narrator managed to escape. 

• house, 
• fell, 
• down, 
• managed, 

Where does the comma go? 
Even though the story was written long ago it remains popular with fans of horror. 

• popular, 
• even though, 
• fans, 
• ago,