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Joining Clauses with Commas, Semicolons, and Colons

Total questions: 22

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Fill in the blank with the correct punctuation:

My mother often recites this Shakespeare quote _____ "All that glitters is not gold."

a)

; (semicolon)

b)

: (colon)

c)

. (period)

d)

- (hyphen)

2.

Fill in the blank with the correct punctuation:

I enjoy reading books ___ however, I don't often have time to finish them.

a)

; (semicolon)

b)

: (colon)

c)

. (period)

d)

- (hyphen)

3.

Fill in the blanks with the correct punctuation:

The small dog is incredibly loud ___ it's surprising.

a)

; (semicolon)

b)

: (colon)

c)

. (period)

d)

- (hyphen)

4.

Which sentence is written correctly?

a)

That man is a fantastic teacher; therefore, he is popular with students.

b)

It was a cold day; pickles are delicious.

c)

The pie includes these ingredients; strawberries, rhubarb, and blackberries.

d)

At the stroke of midnight; Disneyland becomes a magical place.

5.

Where should you place the colon (:) in the following?

When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me speaking words of wisdom "Let it be"

a)

after "trouble"

b)

after "me"

c)

after "wisdom"

d)

after "be"

6.

Where could you place a semicolon (;) in the following?

I'm just a poor boy. I need no sympathy because I'm easy come, easy go.

a)

after "boy" (Replace the period with a semicolon.)

b)

after "sympathy"

c)

after "easy"

d)

after "come" (Replace the comma with a semicolon.)

7.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire; but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Is the semicolon used correctly?
a)
Yes
b)
No
8.
Nothing sticks more than: that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
Is the colon used correctly?
a)
Yes
b)
No
9.
"The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are: composed entirely of lost airline luggage." Is the colon used correctly?
a)
Yes
b)
No
10.
"I love deadlines; I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." Is the semicolon used correctly?
a)
Yes
b)
No
11.
The students were studying for their history test _____ it covers everything from the 1850's to the present.
a)
comma
b)
colon
c)
semicolon
12.
Which sentence is punctuated CORRECTLY?
a)
Because we are leaving early, we must check with our teachers about missing homework.
b)
We must check with our teachers about missing homework, because we are leaving early. 
c)
Because, we are leaving early, we must check with our teachers about missing homework. 
13.
Which sentence is punctuated CORRECTLY?
a)
Whenever the movie is over, my mom said she would take us for pizza.
b)
Whenever the movie is over; my mom said she would take us for pizza. 
14.
My dad has a surprise trip planned for us during Spring Break _____ we have to wait until Friday to find out where he is taking us. 
a)
colon
b)
comma
c)
semicolon
15.
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
a)
The order was requested six weeks ago; therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now.
b)
The order was requested six weeks ago, therefore. I expected the shipment to arrive by now.
c)
The order was requested: six weeks ago, therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now.
d)
The order was requested six weeks ago: therefore, I expected the shipment, to arrive by now.
16.
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
a)
She said she loved the book; so, I gave it to her.
b)
She said she loved the book, so I gave it to her.
c)
She said: she loved the book, so I gave it to her.
d)
She said she loved the book: so I gave it to her.
17.
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
a)
This is what Plato had to say about mathematicians. "I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning."
b)
This is what Plato had to say about mathematicians "I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning."
c)
This is what Plato had to say about mathematicians: "I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning."
d)
This is what Plato had to say about mathematicians; "I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning."
18.

Zack came to class breathless and tired ___ he had just come from baseball practice.

a)
b)
c)
d)

no punctuation needed

19.

The play was excellent! All of the actors were lively ___ and the set was beautifully decorated.

a)
b)
c)
d)

no punctuation needed

20.

I do my homework every night ___ because that's how you get a good grade.

a)
b)
c)
d)

no punctuation needed

21.

The artist preferred to paint in oils ___ he did not like water colors.

a)
b)
c)
d)

no punctuation needed

22.

Even when the house looks clean ___ there is usually dirt swept under the rugs.

a)
b)
c)
d)

no punctuation needed