Punctuation

Read the statement: 'Our team just scored the winning goal with one second left!' Which of the following responses is punctuated to show the most excitement?

• That is unbelievable.

• That is unbelievable?

• That is unbelievable!

• That is unbelievable,

Answer explanation

An exclamation point (!) is used at the end of a sentence to show strong feeling or excitement, which is the most appropriate response here.

Complete the sentence with the correct word: The dog is chasing _____ own tail in circles.

• it's

• its'

• its

• it is

Answer explanation

'Its' is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership. 'It's' is a contraction for 'it is'. Since the tail belongs to the dog, the possessive form 'its' is correct.

Which option correctly rewrites the phrase 'the project of the students' using a possessive apostrophe?

• the student's project

• the students' project

• the students project

• the students's project

Answer explanation

When a plural noun ends in 's' (like 'students'), you add only an apostrophe after the 's' to show possession. 'The students' project' means the project belongs to the students.

Three of the following sentences use apostrophes correctly. Choose the sentence with the INCORRECT usage.

• Who's going to the party on Saturday?

• The girls' soccer team won the championship.

• I can't believe we're already in sixth grade.

• The cat cleaned it's paws after walking in the mud.

Answer explanation

The word 'it's' is a contraction for 'it is'. The sentence requires the possessive pronoun 'its' to show that the paws belong to the cat. The other sentences use apostrophes correctly for contractions and plural possession.

A sentence is given without commas. Choose the option that correctly adds commas to separate the items in the series.

For my art project I will need paper paint brushes and glue.

• For my art project I will need paper, paint, brushes, and glue.

• For my art project I will need paper, paint brushes and glue.

• For my art project I will need paper paint, brushes, and glue.

• For my art project I will need paper, paint brushes, and, glue.

Answer explanation

Commas are used to separate three or more items in a list. The correct sentence places commas after 'paper', 'paint', and 'brushes' to properly separate the four items.

True or False: The following sentence is punctuated correctly.

My favorite colors are blue green, and purple.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The sentence is incorrect because it is missing a comma after 'blue'. When listing three or more items, a comma should separate each item in the series.

Combine these short sentences into one sentence by creating a list. Choose the new sentence with the correct comma placement.

I visited Paris. I saw the Eiffel Tower. I ate a croissant.

• I visited Paris and saw the Eiffel Tower and ate a croissant.

• In Paris, I saw the Eiffel Tower, ate a croissant, and visited.

• I visited Paris, saw the Eiffel Tower, and ate a croissant.

• I visited Paris saw the Eiffel Tower and ate a croissant.

Answer explanation

To combine the actions into a series, you list them separated by commas. The correct structure is 'action 1, action 2, and action 3'.

A line of dialogue is given. Choose the option that correctly places quotation marks and other punctuation.

• "Let's finish our homework before dinner", she suggested.

• "Let's finish our homework before dinner," she suggested.

• "Let's finish our homework before dinner." she suggested.

• Let's finish our homework before dinner, "she suggested".

Answer explanation

The comma that separates the dialogue from the tag 'she suggested' should be placed inside the closing quotation mark. The entire quote is enclosed in quotation marks.

Four sentences use quotation marks for dialogue. Choose the one where the punctuation is used INCORRECTLY.

• "What time does the movie start?" he asked.

• She whispered, "I think I know the answer."

• "I'm so tired", Mark yawned.

• "Watch out!" the coach yelled from the sideline.

Answer explanation

The comma separating the dialogue from the speaker tag ('Mark yawned') must be placed inside the closing quotation mark. The correct punctuation would be: "I'm so tired," Mark yawned.

A sentence has a blank before a list. Choose the correct punctuation to fill the blank.

You will need to bring three items ___ a sleeping bag, a flashlight, and a water bottle.

• , (a comma)

• ; (a semicolon)

• : (a colon)

• . (a period)

Answer explanation

A colon is used after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items. The first part of the sentence, 'You will need to bring three items,' is a complete thought.