GED English Commas and Semicolons Quiz

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate items in a list?

• I bought apples, oranges, bananas and grapes.

• I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.

• I bought apples oranges bananas, and grapes.

• I bought, apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate two independent clauses.

• She wanted to go to the park, but it was raining.

• She wanted to go to the park but, it was raining.

• She wanted to go to the park but it was raining.

• She wanted to go to the park, but, it was raining.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to set off an introductory element?

• After the movie we went to dinner.

• After the movie, we went to dinner.

• After, the movie we went to dinner.

• After the movie we, went to dinner.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off nonessential information.

• My brother who is a doctor lives in New York.

• My brother, who is a doctor, lives in New York.

• My brother who is a doctor, lives in New York.

• My brother, who is a doctor lives in New York.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate adjectives of equal rank?

• It was a long, hot summer.

• It was a long hot, summer.

• It was a long hot summer.

• It was, a long hot summer.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses.

• I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow; but I can't go out tonight.

• I have a big test tomorrow: I can't go out tonight.

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to separate items in a complex list?

• We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany.

• We visited Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and Berlin, Germany.

• We visited Paris; France, Rome; Italy, and Berlin; Germany.

• We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy, Berlin, Germany.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb.

• She was tired; however, she finished her homework.

• She was tired, however; she finished her homework.

• She was tired however; she finished her homework.

• She was tired; however she finished her homework.

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to link closely related independent clauses?

• The sun is high; put on some sunscreen.

• The sun is high, put on some sunscreen.

• The sun is high; and put on some sunscreen.

• The sun is high: put on some sunscreen.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses with a transitional phrase.

• I wanted to go for a walk; on the other hand, it was raining.

• I wanted to go for a walk, on the other hand; it was raining.

• I wanted to go for a walk; on the other hand it was raining.

• I wanted to go for a walk on the other hand; it was raining.