Punctuation

Which punctuation mark should be used at the end of a simple statement like 'The school library is quiet'?

• .

• ?

• !

• ,

Answer explanation

A period (.) is used to end a declarative sentence, which is a sentence that makes a statement. A question mark is for questions, and an exclamation point is for strong emotion.

True or False: The word 'its' is the correct contraction for 'it is'.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

'It's' is the contraction for 'it is' or 'it has.' The word 'its' is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership, as in 'The dog wagged its tail.'

Which is the correct way to write the abbreviation for 'Mister' when addressing someone like Mr. Smith?

• Mr

• Mr.

• Mst

• Mstr.

Answer explanation

In American English, titles used with names are abbreviated with a period at the end. 'Mr.' is the correct abbreviation for 'Mister.'

Complete the sentence with the correct punctuation: For my art project, I need glue___ scissors___ and colored paper.

• , ,

• ; ;

• , (no punctuation)

• (no punctuation) ,

Answer explanation

Commas are used to separate three or more items in a list or series. A comma should be placed after 'glue' and after 'scissors.'

Which sentence shows the correct capitalization?

• We have a science test next tuesday.

• We have a Science Test next Tuesday.

• We have a science test next Tuesday.

• we have a science test next Tuesday.

Answer explanation

The first word of a sentence and proper nouns, like days of the week (Tuesday), must be capitalized. Common nouns like 'science test' are not capitalized unless they are part of a specific course title.

Complete the sentence with the correct end mark: What time does the soccer game start___

• .

• !

• ?

• ...

Answer explanation

A question mark (?) is used at the end of an interrogative sentence, which is a sentence that asks a direct question.

Which of these compound words is correctly written with a hyphen?

• high school

• mother-in-law

• basketball

• ice cream

Answer explanation

'Mother-in-law' is a hyphenated compound noun. 'High school' and 'ice cream' are open compounds (written as separate words), and 'basketball' is a closed compound (written as one word).

Identify the sentence that uses quotation marks and commas correctly for dialogue.

• "Let's go to the library, said Maria."

• "Let's go to the library" said Maria.

• "Let's go to the library," said Maria.

• "Let's go to the library." said Maria.

Answer explanation

A comma is used to separate dialogue from a speaker tag like 'said Maria.' The comma must be placed inside the closing quotation mark.

True or False: An ellipsis (...) is correctly used in the following quote to show that words have been removed: 'Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth ... a new nation.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

An ellipsis is a set of three periods used within a quotation to indicate that some words from the original source have been intentionally omitted.

Complete the sentence to show that the locker room belongs to all the players on the team: The _____ locker room was messy after the game.

• players

• player's

• players'

• players's

Answer explanation

To show possession for a plural noun that ends in 's' (like players), you add only an apostrophe after the 's'.