Punctuation Grade8 Topic Assessment Mixed Grade 8 Assessment

Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe for a decade?

• He was born in the 1960s.

• He was born in the 1960's.

• He was born in the 1960s'.

• He was born in the 1960s's.

Answer explanation

Apostrophes are not needed when referring to decades unless indicating possession.

Complete the sentence: The teacher's meeting was scheduled for 3 _____ on Tuesday.

• oclock

• o'clock

• ocloks

• oclock's

Answer explanation

Use an apostrophe to indicate omitted letters in 'o'clock'.

True or False: An apostrophe is used to form the plural of numbers and letters.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Apostrophes can be used for plurals of letters and numbers to avoid confusion.

Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly to show possession?

• The cats' toys were scattered everywhere.

• The cat's toys were scattered everywhere.

• The cats toy's were scattered everywhere.

• The cats toys' were scattered everywhere.

Answer explanation

Use an apostrophe to show possession for singular nouns.

Choose the correct contraction for the sentence: She _____ decided to join us.

• hasn't

• has'nt

• haven't

• havn't

Answer explanation

The contraction for 'has not' is 'hasn't'.

True or False: Capitalization is not necessary for proper nouns.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Proper nouns always require capitalization.

Which sentence uses capitalization correctly?

• We visited the grand canyon last summer.

• We visited the Grand canyon last summer.

• We visited the Grand Canyon last summer.

• We visited the grand Canyon last summer.

Answer explanation

Proper nouns, such as 'Grand Canyon', should be capitalized.

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

• She found the following items: keys, wallet, and phone.

• She found the following items; keys, wallet, and phone.

• She found: the following items keys, wallet, and phone.

• She found, the following items: keys, wallet, and phone.

Answer explanation

A colon is used to introduce a list following a complete sentence.

Complete the sentence: He whispered _____ I knew it was a secret.

• —

• ,

• :

• ;

Answer explanation

An em dash can be used to indicate an abrupt break in thought.

Which sentence uses an ellipsis correctly?

• He paused... then continued speaking.

• He paused.. then continued speaking.

• He paused...then continued speaking.

• He paused... and then continued speaking

Answer explanation

An ellipsis is used for a pause, and there should be a space before continuing the sentence.