Question 1

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Accepted Answer

The sentence contains two independent clauses, and therefore requires a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon to join them. Option A incorrectly uses a comma to separate two independent clauses, and Option B incorrectly uses two semicolons. Option C correctly uses a semicolon to separate the independent clauses, followed by a comma to indicate the contrast between the two actions.

Question 2

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon."
-I finished studying for my math exam before I went to bed.

Accepted Answer

The sentence is a complete thought and does not require a semicolon to join two independent clauses.

Question 3

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Accepted Answer

The correct punctuation for this sentence is to use a semicolon to separate the independent clauses, and to use a comma after the introductory phrase "during the overtime." Option A has a comma splice by joining two independent clauses with a comma, and option B incorrectly uses a semicolon and adds an unnecessary semicolon.

Question 4

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Accepted Answer

The conjunction "however" should be set off by commas, which follows in option B. Option A incorrectly includes a semicolon before "however," which creates a comma splice. Option C incorrectly includes a comma after "however," which creates an unnecessary pause in the sentence.

Question 5

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon."
-David left work early he had a dentist appointment at 3:00 p.m.

Accepted Answer

The sentence contains two independent clauses that are related in meaning. To separate them properly, a semicolon is needed.

Question 6

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence.
-The Steins drove up at 7:00 p.m.; meanwhile,

Accepted Answer

The use of "meanwhile" suggests that the actions in the two clauses are happening at the same time. Therefore, it makes sense that the Richardsons are setting the dinner table while the Steins are driving up. Option A does not make sense grammatically, and option C is awkwardly worded.

Question 7

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence.
-The nurses must complete these reports by 5 p.m.; otherwise,

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A because the sentence is talking about the nurses completing reports by 5 p.m. and the consequence of not doing so is that their supervisor will be angry.

Question 8

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon."
-The conference call begins at two o'clock please be at your desk.

Accepted Answer

A semicolon could be used to separate the two independent clauses: "The conference call begins at two o'clock" and "please be at your desk."

Question 9

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Accepted Answer

The correct punctuation for this sentence is to use a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb "nevertheless," and a comma after it. Option A correctly follows this rule. Option B is incorrect because it is missing the comma after "nevertheless." Option C incorrectly separates the main clause from the conjunctive adverb with a semicolon instead of a comma.

Question 10

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence.
-Paul runs three miles every morning; however,

Accepted Answer

The sentence sets up a contrast between Paul's usual routine of running three miles every morning and an exception that prevents him from doing so. The phrase "however" signals that contrast. Therefore, the correct choice is B, which directly expresses that Paul is currently unable to run due to an injury. Choices A and C use more words than necessary and are redundant with each other, as both convey the same idea as B but in a less concise way.

Question 11

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Accepted Answer

A correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, and adds a comma after "nonetheless" to indicate a transitional word.

Question 12

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon."
-Karne and Tomas went to Clancy's by the Sea they like the food and love the view.

Accepted Answer

The two independent clauses "Karne and Tomas went to Clancy's by the Sea" and "they like the food and love the view" are closely related, so a semicolon is appropriate to join them.

Question 13

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon."
-The opposing team scored a touchdown, and the crowd grew quiet.

Accepted Answer

The sentence is correctly using a coordinating conjunction "and" to join two independent clauses. Therefore, no semicolon is required.

Question 14

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon."
-Stacey went shopping at the flea market she needed something to wear on Saturday night.

Accepted Answer

The sentence contains two complete thoughts that are related. Therefore, a semicolon is needed to join the two independent clauses.

Question 15

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence.
-Noah eats fruits and vegetables every day;

Accepted Answer

The sentence starts with "Noah eats fruits and vegetables every day", which implies that he is already following a healthy diet. Therefore, the best option to complete the sentence is to provide a reason for why he is doing it, which is choice A - he is determined to eat a healthy diet.

Question 16

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon."
-The cabin is spotless after three hours of cleaning.

Accepted Answer

The sentence is a complete thought and does not require a semicolon to separate any independent clauses.

Question 17

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence.
-Mary watched the shooting stars in the sky;

Accepted Answer

This choice properly completes the sentence by adding an independent clause that explains why Mary is watching the shooting stars. Option B is incorrect because adding "because" at the beginning of the sentence would create a dependent clause instead of an independent clause which does not give the sentence the proper structure. Option C is not a grammatically correct construction.

Question 18

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Accepted Answer

Option C correctly uses a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses and a comma after "therefore" to indicate a transitional phrase. Options A and B do not use the correct punctuation.

Question 19

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence.
-The science museum has a show about frogs;

Accepted Answer

The sentence states that there is a show about frogs at the science museum, and then expresses the desire to see it. Option C is a simple and grammatically correct way of conveying this desire. Option A is also correct, but the word "and" is unnecessary since there is only one idea being expressed. Option B is incorrect because the use of "although" suggests that the desire to see the show contradicts something that was previously stated, but there is no such contradiction.

Question 20

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Accepted Answer

The word "therefore" is a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses. Therefore, it requires a comma before it to indicate a pause between the two clauses. Option A is a run-on sentence and option C has an unnecessary semicolon before "therefore."

Quiz 19: Semicolons and Conjunctive Adverbs

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon." -I finished studying for my math exam before I went to bed.

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon." -David left work early he had a dentist appointment at 3:00 p.m.

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence. -The Steins drove up at 7:00 p.m.; meanwhile,

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence. -The nurses must complete these reports by 5 p.m.; otherwise,

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon." -The conference call begins at two o'clock please be at your desk.

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence. -Paul runs three miles every morning; however,

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon." -Karne and Tomas went to Clancy's by the Sea they like the food and love the view.

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon." -The opposing team scored a touchdown, and the crowd grew quiet.

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon." -Stacey went shopping at the flea market she needed something to wear on Saturday night.

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence. -Noah eats fruits and vegetables every day;

If the sentence is correct, select "correct." If a semicolon is needed, select "add semicolon." -The cabin is spotless after three hours of cleaning.

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence. -Mary watched the shooting stars in the sky;

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

Select the answer that would correctly complete the sentence. -The science museum has a show about frogs;

In each group, select the sentence that is correctly punctuated.