English Composition I - Quiz 7: Punctuation and Mechanics

In each pair, choose the sentence that has no inappropriate uses of abbreviations. Select one: a. Some historians think that the New Testament was completed by 100 AD. IncorrectThe abbreviation AD should be used before the date. b. Some historians think that the New Testament was completed by AD 100.

b (ugh, another stupid one)

Choose the sentence that uses colons, semicolons, and commas correctly. Select one: a. American poet Carl Sandburg once asked these three questions: "Who paid for my freedom? What was the price? And am I somehow beholden?" CorrectA colon introduces a quotation following an independent clause. b. American poet Carl Sandburg once asked these three questions, "Who paid for my freedom? What was the price? And am I somehow beholden?"

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that has no inappropriate uses of abbreviations. Select one: a. My favorite professor is on sabbatical this semester. CorrectSpelling out the word professor is correct because it is not used with a proper name. b. My favorite prof. is on sabbatical this semester.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that uses italics appropriately. Select one: a. My per diem allowance was $200. CorrectThe expression "per diem" is a standard term in English, so it should not be italicized. b. My per diem allowance was $200.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that has no errors in capitalization. Select one: a. When we drove through the south last year, we enjoyed stopping at the peanut stands along the road. b. When we drove through the South last year, we enjoyed stopping at the peanut stands along the road. CorrectA specific geographic area should be capitalized: the South.

b

In each pair, click on the sentence that is punctuated effectively. Select one: a. Pat helped Jeff put the tail on his kite, which was made of scraps from old dresses, and off they went to the park. CorrectDashes make the sentence needlessly choppy. A pair of commas is sufficient to set off this word group. b. Pat helped Jeff put the tail on his kite—which was made of scraps from old dresses—and off they went to the park.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that uses numbers (either spelled out or as numerals) appropriately. (Assume that the sentences are written in MLA style.) Select one: a. 40 percent of all gamers in the United States are women. b. Forty percent of all gamers in the United States are women. CorrectA number beginning a sentence is spelled out.

b

Choose the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly or avoids a apostrophe error. Select one: a. We handle contracts with NASA and many other government agencies. CorrectThis sentence requires no apostrophes. Agencies is the correct plural spelling. b. We handle contracts with NASA and many other government agencies'.

a

Choose the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly or avoids a apostrophe error. Select one: a. My sister-in-law's quilts are being shown at the Fendrick Gallery. CorrectThe apostrophe is correctly placed in the possessive compound sister-in-law's. b. My sister's-in-law quilts are being shown at the Fendrick Gallery.

a

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly and that has no unnecessary commas. Select one: a. The border guards told their sergeant that the heat-sensing equipment was malfunctioning. CorrectCommas are not needed before non-restrictive clauses using that. b. The border guards told their sergeant, that the heat-sensing equipment was malfunctioning.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that does not contain any punctuation errors. Select one: a. In the movie Lifeboat, director Alfred Hitchcock appears (some say without his knowledge) in a newspaper advertisement for weight loss. CorrectThe slight digression some say without his knowledge is correctly enclosed in parentheses. b. In the movie Lifeboat, director Alfred Hitchcock appears [some say without his knowledge] in a newspaper advertisement for weight loss.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that does not contain any punctuation errors. Select one: a. The last two lines of the old Valentine verse say it all: "Sugar is sweet, / And so are you." CorrectThe slash is correctly used between lines of poetry run into a sentence. b. The last two lines of the old Valentine verse say it all: "Sugar is sweet, And so are you."

a

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. The temperature was 104 degrees, and Eric's car was not equipped with air conditioning. CorrectA comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction and because the conjunction joins independent clauses (word groups that could stand alone as sentences). b. The temperature was 104 degrees and Eric's car was not equipped with air conditioning.

a. The temperature was 104 degrees, and Eric's car was not equipped with air conditioning. CorrectA comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction and because the conjunction joins independent clauses (word groups that could stand alone as sentences).

Choose the sentence that uses colons, semicolons, and commas correctly. Select one: a. There are three types of leave; annual leave, used for vacations, sick leave, used for medical appointments and illness, and personal leave, used for a variety of personal reasons. b. There are three types of leave: annual leave, used for vacations; sick leave, used for medical appointments and illness; and personal leave, used for a variety of personal reasons. CorrectA colon is used after an independent clause to introduce a list. And semicolons are used between the elements in the series that contain internal punctuation.

b

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly and that has no unnecessary commas. Select one: a. Some first-year architecture students, expect to design intricate structures immediately. b. Some first-year architecture students expect to design intricate structures immediately. CorrectCommas should not separate subjects for verbs in a sentence like this one.

b

In each pair, choose the sentence that has no errors in capitalization. Select one: a. After World War II, aunt Helena left Poland to study in Italy. b. After World War II, Aunt Helena left Poland to study in Italy. CorrectA title should be capitalized when it precedes a personal name.

b

In each pair, choose the sentence that uses quotation marks and other punctuation correctly. Select one: a. Gloria Steinem once twisted an old proverb like this: "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle." CorrectA colon, not a comma, should be used after an independent clause that introduces a quotation. b. Gloria Steinem once twisted an old proverb like this, "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle."

a

Choose the sentence that uses colons, semicolons, and commas correctly. Select one: a. Amelie had four goals: to be encouraging; to be effective; to be efficient; and to be elegant. b. Amelie had four goals: to be encouraging, to be effective, to be efficient, and to be elegant. CorrectThe colon correctly introduces a list, and commas separate the items in the series.

b

In each pair, choose the sentence that does not contain any punctuation errors. Select one: a. There are three points of etiquette in poker: 1. Always allow someone else to cut the cards, 2. don't forget to ante up, and 3. never stack your chips. b. There are three points of etiquette in poker: (1) Always allow someone else to cut the cards, (2) don't forget to ante up, and (3) never stack your chips. CorrectNumbers introducing list items should be enclosed in parentheses.

b

In each pair, choose the sentence that has no errors in capitalization. Select one: a. When the truck will not start, I try a few tricks with the ignition key: Jiggling it to the left, pulling it out a quarter of an inch, and gently pulling down on it. b. When the truck will not start, I try a few tricks with the ignition key: jiggling it to the left, pulling it out a quarter of an inch, and gently pulling down on it. CorrectA word group following a colon should not be capitalized if it is not a complete sentence.

b

In each pair, choose the sentence that has no inappropriate uses of abbreviations. Select one: a. My mother's birthday was on Fri. the 13th this year. b. My mother's birthday was on Friday the 13th this year. CorrectUnits of measurement are not be abbreviated unless they are used with a numeral.

b

In each pair, choose the sentence that uses quotation marks and other punctuation correctly. Select one: a. "That's the most beautiful seashell I've ever seen!", shouted Alexa. b. "That's the most beautiful seashell I've ever seen!" shouted Alexa. CorrectThe quotation ends with only an exclamation point. No comma is needed.

b

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly and that has no unnecessary commas. Select one: a. Jolie's parents encouraged independent thinking but required respect for others' opinions. CorrectThe but does not function here as a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses, and, therefore the comma is not needed. b. Jolie's parents encouraged independent thinking, but required respect for others' opinions.

a

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly and that has no unnecessary commas. Select one: a. The streets that three hours later would be bumper to bumper with commuters were quiet and empty except for a few prowling cats. CorrectCommas should not separate a non-restrictive clause beginning with that from the verb in the sentence. b. The streets that three hours later would be bumper to bumper with commuters, were quiet and empty except for a few prowling cats.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that does not contain any punctuation errors. Select one: a. Masahiro poked through the contents of his backpack—laptop, digital camera, guidebook—to make sure he was ready for a day's study at the Ryoanji Temple garden. Correct The list in midsentence is correctly enclosed in a pair of dashes. b. Masahiro poked through the contents of his backpack, laptop, digital camera, guidebook, to make sure he was ready for a day's study at the Ryoanji Temple garden.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that has no errors in capitalization. Select one: a. "When you slowly bake a clove of garlic," she said, "it loses its bitter tang and becomes sweet and buttery." CorrectWhen a quoted sentence is interrupted by explanatory words, the second part of the sentence should not be capitalized. b. "When you slowly bake a clove of garlic," she said, "It loses its bitter tang and becomes sweet and buttery." Feedback

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that uses italics appropriately. Select one: a. Gail watched in amazement as the tattoo artist made angles and swooping loops into the Gothic letter G. CorrectLetters used as letters are italicized. b. Gail watched in amazement as the tattoo artist made angles and swooping loops into the Gothic letter G.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that uses numbers (either spelled out or as numerals) appropriately. (Assume that the sentences are written in MLA style.) Select one: a. The botany lecture will begin at precisely 3:30 p.m. CorrectNumerals are used for exact times. b. The botany lecture will begin at precisely three-thirty p.m.

a

In each pair, choose the sentence that uses quotation marks and other punctuation correctly. Select one: a. "Get your head in the game, and the rest will come," advised the coach just before the whistle. CorrectA comma is correctly used at the end of the quotation before the explanatory words. b. "Get your head in the game, and the rest will come" advised the coach just before the whistle.

a

In each pair, click on the sentence that is punctuated effectively. Select one: a. The class stood, faced the flag, placed hands over hearts, and raced through "I pledge allegiance . . . liberty and justice for all" in less than sixty seconds. CorrectEllipsis dots should be used to indicate that words have been omitted from the quotation. b. The class stood, faced the flag, placed hands over hearts, and raced through "I pledge allegiance—liberty and justice for all" in less than sixty seconds.

a

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. B. B. King and Lucille, his customized black Gibson, have electrified audiences all over the world. CorrectThe appositive his customized black Gibson is nonrestrictive (nonessential), so it is set off with commas. b. B. B. King and Lucille, his customized black Gibson have electrified audiences all over the world.

a. B. B. King and Lucille, his customized black Gibson, have electrified audiences all over the world. CorrectThe appositive his customized black Gibson is nonrestrictive (nonessential), so it is set off with commas.

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. Back up your computer before a thunderstorm to prevent possible severe, irreversible damage to your hard drive. CorrectA comma is required between the coordinate adjectives severe and irreversible. (Coordinate adjectives can be joined with and: severe and irreversible damage.) b. Back up your computer before a thunderstorm to prevent possible severe irreversible damage to your hard drive.

a. Back up your computer before a thunderstorm to prevent possible severe, irreversible damage to your hard drive. CorrectA comma is required between the coordinate adjectives severe and irreversible. (Coordinate adjectives can be joined with and: severe and irreversible damage.)

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. In 1845 came the publication of Douglass's first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Correcthe title of Douglass's book is a nonrestrictive appositive, so it should be set off with commas. The title is nonrestrictive because the term first autobiography identifies the book; there is only one first autobiography. b. In 1845 came the publication of Douglass's first autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.

a. In 1845 came the publication of Douglass's first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Correcthe title of Douglass's book is a nonrestrictive appositive, so it should be set off with commas. The title is nonrestrictive because the term first autobiography identifies the book; there is only one first autobiography.

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. In the old wedding ceremony, brides promised to love, honor, and obey their husbands. CorrectExcept when writing for a publication that follows another convention, use a comma between all items in a series, including the last two. b. In the old wedding ceremony, brides promised to love, honor and obey their husbands.

a. In the old wedding ceremony, brides promised to love, honor, and obey their husbands. CorrectExcept when writing for a publication that follows another convention, use a comma between all items in a series, including the last two.

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. Nursing is physically and mentally demanding, yet the pay is low. CorrectThe coordinating conjunction yet joins independent clauses, so the comma is needed. b. Nursing is physically and mentally demanding yet the pay is low.

a. Nursing is physically and mentally demanding, yet the pay is low. CorrectThe coordinating conjunction yet joins independent clauses, so the comma is needed. im getting lazy

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. While we were eating, a bat swooped overhead and interrupted our conversation. CorrectA comma is needed after the introductory adverb clause. Notice too that the sentence is easily misread without the comma. b. While we were eating a bat swooped overhead and interrupted our conversation.

a. While we were eating, a bat swooped overhead and interrupted our conversation. CorrectA comma is needed after the introductory adverb clause. Notice too that the sentence is easily misread without the comma.

Choose the sentence that uses colons, semicolons, and commas correctly. Select one: a. While traveling through France, Rose visited: the Loire Valley, Chartres, the Louvre, and the McDonald's stand at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. b. While traveling through France, Rose visited the Loire Valley, Chartres, the Louvre, and the McDonald's stand at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. CorrectNo punctuation is used between the verb visited and its direct object.

b

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly and that has no unnecessary commas. Select one: a. The kiawe, (Prosopis pallida), a species of mesquite, was transplanted to Hawaii in the early nineteenth century. b. The kiawe (Prosopis pallida), a species of mesquite, was transplanted to Hawaii in the early nineteenth century. CorrectA comma before a parenthesis is unnecessary.

b

Choose the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly or avoids a apostrophe error. Select one: a. Patience and humor are key tools in a travelers survival kit. b. Patience and humor are key tools in a traveler's survival kit. CorrectThe apostrophe is correct in the possessive traveler's.

b

Choose the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly or avoids a apostrophe error. Select one: a. Siddhartha sat by the river and listened to it's many voices. b. Siddhartha sat by the river and listened to its many voices. CorrectThe possessive its is correct, not the contraction it's (it is).

b

Choose the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly or avoids a apostrophe error. Select one: a. Three teenage son's can devour about as much food as four full-grown field hands. The only difference is that they dont do half as much work. b. Three teenage sons can devour about as much food as four full-grown field hands. The only difference is that they don't do half as much work. CorrectThe apostrophe in the contraction don't is used correctly, and no other apostrophes are required.

b

In each pair, choose the sentence that does not contain any punctuation errors. Select one: a. In studies in which mothers gazed down at their infants in their cribs but remained facially unresponsive, for example, not smiling, laughing, or showing any change of expression, the infants responded with intense weariness and eventual withdrawal. b. In studies in which mothers gazed down at their infants in their cribs but remained facially unresponsive (for example, not smiling, laughing, or showing any change of expression), the infants responded with intense weariness and eventual withdrawal CorrectThe long parenthetical statement beginning with for example is correctly enclosed in parentheses.

b

In each pair, choose the sentence that has no errors in capitalization. Select one: a. Following in his sister's footsteps, Leonid is pursuing a degree in Market Research. b. Following in his sister's footsteps, Leonid is pursuing a degree in market research. CorrectA field of study should not be capitalized unless it is the name of a language.

b

In each pair, click on the sentence that is punctuated effectively. Select one: a. Every person there—from the youngest toddler to the oldest great-grandparent, was expected to sit through the three-hour sermon in respectful silence. b. Every person there—from the youngest toddler to the oldest great-grandparent—was expected to sit through the three-hour sermon in respectful silence. CorrectTwo dashes correctly highlight material deserving special emphasis. If less emphasis is desired, the writer could use a pair of commas.

b

In each pair, click on the sentence that is punctuated effectively. Select one: a. Infoworld reports that customers without computer skills "can easily learn to use it—the Bay Area Teleguide—through simple, three-step instructions located at the booth." [The words "the Bay Area Teleguide" do not appear in this sentence in the original source.] b. Infoworld reports that customers without computer skills "can easily learn to use it [the Bay Area Teleguide] through simple, three-step instructions located at the booth." [The words "the Bay Area Teleguide" do not appear in this sentence in the original source.] CorrectBrackets should be used around words that have been inserted into an otherwise word-for-word quotation.

b

In each pair, click on the sentence that is punctuated effectively. Select one: a. We lived in Iowa (Davenport, to be specific) during the early years of our marriage. b. We lived in Davenport, Iowa, during the early years of our marriage. CorrectParentheses are a needless distraction in this sentence.

b

Choose the sentence that uses colons, semicolons, and commas correctly. Select one: a. Harry Potter prevails against pain and evil for one reason, his heart is pure. IncorrectA colon introduces the second independent clause because it explains the first independent clause. b. Harry Potter prevails against pain and evil for one reason: His heart is pure.

b ( i know, its stupid. but its right i guess)

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. Among Louisa May Alcott's many writings, the most popular was her novel, Little Women. [Alcott wrote more than one novel.] b. Among Louisa May Alcott's many writings, the most popular was her novel Little Women. [Alcott wrote more than one novel.] CorrectThe appositive Little Women should not be set off with commas because it is restrictive. Once they've read novel, readers still don't know precisely which one of Alcott's novels is being discussed. The appositive following novel restricts its meaning.

b. Among Louisa May Alcott's many writings, the most popular was her novel Little Women. [Alcott wrote more than one novel.] CorrectThe appositive Little Women should not be set off with commas because it is restrictive. Once they've read novel, readers still don't know precisely which one of Alcott's novels is being discussed. The appositive following novel restricts its meaning.

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. City Café is noted for its spicy, vegetarian dishes and its friendly, efficient service. b. City Café is noted for its spicy vegetarian dishes and its friendly, efficient service. CorrectThere should be no comma between spicy and vegetarianbecause these are cumulative adjectives. The comma between friendly and efficient is correct because these are coordinate adjectives.

b. City Café is noted for its spicy vegetarian dishes and its friendly, efficient service. CorrectThere should be no comma between spicy and vegetarianbecause these are cumulative adjectives. The comma between friendly and efficient is correct because these are coordinate adjectives.

Choose which sentence that uses commas correctly. In the correct sentence, all commas that appear are necessary. Select one: a. When I saw the look on my father's face, I wanted to turn around, and beg the sheriff to let me spend the night in jail. b. When I saw the look on my father's face, I wanted to turn around and beg the sheriff to let me spend the night in jail. CorrectA comma before and is incorrect because the word anddoes not join independent clauses.

b. When I saw the look on my father's face, I wanted to turn around and beg the sheriff to let me spend the night in jail. CorrectA comma before and is incorrect because the word anddoes not join independent clauses.