Punctuation and Sentence Structure

Many of his classmates had gone on to successful careers in business, the professions, and even the arts. What set Richard apart? However, was his determination to succeed without a definable occupation. Which of the following options is the best replacement for the underlined portion?

• NO CHANGE

• apart, however

• apart; however,

• apart, however,

"Ms. Goel forgot to prepare her lesson for the day; she knew she should have set herself a reminder."

This sentence is already grammatically correct. Which of the following options could serve as an acceptable replacement for the underlined text?

• day, she

• day and she

• day. She

• day yet she

Is this acceptable or incorrect punctuation, and why?

• Acceptable: the sentence correctly connects two complete ideas with "comma + FANBOYS".

• Acceptable: the sentence correctly connects a complete idea with an incomplete idea using no punctuation.

• Incorrect: the sentence doesn't have a comma before the word "and".

• Incorrect: the sentence is missing two commas around the unnecessary information.

My sister goes to a college, that is right next to the ocean, and she studies marine invertebrates. This sentence seems grammatically incorrect to me, and I need help editing it. What could I do to fix this?

• Remove the information between the commas ("that is right next to the ocean").

• Remove the first comma in the sentence.

• Change the word "that" to "which" and remove the second comma in the sentence.

• None of the above options will fix your sentence. Go back to English class, Ms. Goel!

When he opened his lunchbox, Charlie saw that it included a large portion of chocolate cake which was his favorite dessert. Which of the following is the best option to replace the underlined portion of the sentence?

• NO CHANGE

• cake, which

• cake. Which

• cake, which,

When he opened his lunchbox, Charlie saw that it included the chocolate cake that he had seen advertised on MTV.

Which of the following is the best option to replace the underlined portion?

• NO CHANGE

• cake, that

• cake, that,

• cake. That

Normally cumulus clouds are seen during summer, when they develop into thunderstorms reaching beyond 50,000 feet in altitude.

Which of the following is the best option to replace the underlined portion?

• NO CHANGE

• Normally cumulus,

• Normally, cumulus

• Normal, cumulus

What is the primary function of a dash in a sentence?

• To indicate a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a full stop

• To introduce a list

• To show possession

• To separate items in a series

Answer explanation

The primary function of a dash is to indicate a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a full stop, allowing for emphasis or additional information in a sentence.

What is the main purpose of parentheses in writing?

• To indicate a question

• To add extra information or an afterthought

• To show excitement

• To separate items in a list

Answer explanation

Parentheses are primarily used to add extra information or an afterthought to a sentence, providing clarity without disrupting the main flow of the text.

How are brackets typically used in a sentence?

• To indicate a direct quote

• To add editorial comments or clarifications

• To separate two independent clauses

• To show possession

Answer explanation

Brackets are typically used to add editorial comments or clarifications within a sentence, helping to provide additional context or information without altering the original text.