Question 1

Which one of the following statements is not correct?&#10;A) Use semicolons to separate two closely related independent clauses.&#10;B) Use semicolons to separate the indirect object from the direct object.&#10;C) Use semicolons to join two independent clauses that are connected by such words as however, therefore, and furthermore.&#10;D) Use semicolons to separate items in a series when commas are already part of the list.

Accepted Answer

Semicolons are not used to separate indirect objects from direct objects; that role is typically filled by commas if needed for clarity, or no punctuation at all in most cases. Semicolons are primarily used for the reasons listed in options A, C, and D.

Question 2

Which one of the following sentences uses semicolons incorrectly?&#10;A) I fell off the dirt bike four times today; nevertheless, I kept trying.&#10;B) She didn't slow down; the yield sign was covered with brush.&#10;C) Harley packed; extra towels, film, and some snacks.&#10;D) The painting was very old; it sold for the most money at the auction.

Accepted Answer

In option C, the semicolon is used incorrectly. Semicolons should not be used before a list that is introduced by an independent clause; a colon would be the correct punctuation mark in this case.

Question 3

Which one of the following sentences uses semicolons incorrectly?&#10;A) The gorilla became violent; she was protecting her young.&#10;B) I don't like chocolate; in fact, I don't like sweets.&#10;C) We have only one hour to make the dip, finish the soup, which needs to chill, and get dressed.&#10;D) It's going to rain today; therefore, you should bring your umbrella.

Accepted Answer

In option C, the semicolon is used incorrectly because it should be used to separate items in a complex list only when those items contain commas themselves, or to separate closely related independent clauses. The sentence in C does not fit these criteria; it improperly uses a comma instead of a semicolon to separate clauses.

Question 4

Which one of the following statements is not correct?&#10;A) Use a colon to introduce a list.&#10;B) Use a colon to introduce a thought.&#10;C) Use a colon after the words such as or including.&#10;D) Use a colon after an independent clause that introduces something.

Accepted Answer

A colon should not be used after phrases like "such as" or "including" because these phrases already indicate that a list or example is coming, making the colon redundant.

Question 5

Which one of the following sentences uses colons incorrectly?&#10;A) There are two good reasons to go to college: to gain new knowledge and to be successful.&#10;B) Jeremy's favorite hobbies are: fishing, skiing, and watching television.&#10;C) Michelle knew what she had to do: quite her job.&#10;D) The following are attractive qualities: confidence, charm, humor, and good manners.

Accepted Answer

CIn sentence B, the colon is used incorrectly because it should not be used after "are" when introducing a list that directly follows a verb. In sentence C, the colon is used correctly to introduce an explanation, but there is a typo in "quite her job," which should be "quit her job." However, the question asks about the incorrect use of colons, not typos, so the primary reason for C being incorrect is that it's actually a correct use of a colon to introduce an explanation or definition, making my initial inclusion of C as an incorrect option a mistake. The correct answer should solely be B due to the misuse of the colon in introducing a list in an incorrect format.

Question 6

Which one of the following sentences uses colons incorrectly?&#10;A) I can think of something better to do, such as: taking a walk or reading a book.&#10;B) The recipe called for a rare ingredient: truffles.&#10;C) Jarrod already knew what his answer would be: yes.&#10;D) You should bring the following to the exam: two pencils, a bluebook, a calculator, and a dictionary.

Accepted Answer

The colon in choice A is used incorrectly because it follows the phrase "such as," which should lead directly into the examples without a colon. Colons are typically used to introduce a list, explanation, quotation, or example, but when "such as" is used, it already serves the introductory purpose, making the colon redundant.

Question 7

Which one of the following statements is not correct?&#10;A) Use dashes to emphasize a point.&#10;B) Use dashes to draw attention to a part of your sentence.&#10;C) Use dashes to set off sentence parts and add suspense.&#10;D) Use dashes only with independent clauses.

Accepted Answer

Dashes can be used in various ways, not exclusively with independent clauses. They can set off additional information, create emphasis, or introduce an element in a sentence, which doesn't always have to be an independent clause.

Question 8

Which one of the following sentences uses dashes incorrectly?&#10;A) Yes-I will marry you!&#10;B) I have a crush-on that boy-in the band.&#10;C) Simone swam the length of the pool twice-in one breath.&#10;D) Harold-dressed in bright pink-caused quite a commotion.

Accepted Answer

The correct use of dashes is to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or to set off a parenthetical element within a sentence that could be removed without changing the essential meaning of that sentence. Sentence B incorrectly uses dashes to connect phrases that do not require such emphasis or separation, making it grammatically incorrect in the context of standard dash usage.

Question 9

Which one of the following statements is not correct?&#10;A) Use parentheses to set off information that is not necessary for understanding the sentence.&#10;B) Use parentheses to set off information that is necessary for understanding the sentence.&#10;C) Use parentheses to set off dates of a person's life span.&#10;D) Use parentheses to number items in a sentence.

Accepted Answer

Parentheses are typically used to enclose information that is supplementary or explanatory and not essential to the main point of the sentence, making option B incorrect.

Question 10

Which one of the following sentences uses parentheses incorrectly?&#10;A) There are many California State Universities (CSUs) throughout the state.&#10;B) Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) wrote the poem &#34;Jabberwocky.&#34;&#10;C) From the back room came a strange smell (dead fish!).&#10;D) Follow these steps for a happy life: (1) take care of your health, (2) treat others with respect, and (3) forgive and forget past wrongs.

Accepted Answer

Parentheses are typically used to include supplementary or explanatory information, not to insert interjections or emotional reactions as in choice C.

Question 11

Explain one rule about using semicolons.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain one rule about using semicolons....

Question 12

Explain one rule about using colons.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain one rule about using colons....

Question 13

Explain the difference between dashes and parentheses.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between dashes and parentheses....

Question 14

Put the necessary punctuation in the following sentence.
Please take the trash to the end of the curb take the cans in to be recycled and run these clothes, shoes, and picture frames to your Aunt Mildee's house.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Put the necessary punctuation in the following...

Question 15

Put the necessary punctuation in the following sentence.&#10;My great, great grandfather 1820-1905 was famous in his hometown for catching bank robbers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Put the necessary punctuation in the following...

Question 16

Correct the incorrect punctuation, and add the missing semicolons, colons, dashes, and parentheses to the following paragraph.

-Annabelle is very concerned with her appearance too concerned actually. Before we go out, she has to follow a certain ritual 1 take a shower and wash her hair twice 2 put lots of gel in her hair, blow it dry, and then curl it 3 spend an hour curling her hair 4 apply two coats of makeup and 5 spend at least another hour trying to decide what to wear. But this isn't enough. Wherever we go even to the grocery store, she takes: all of her makeup, a brush, a can of hairspray, and a mirror. Despite all the trouble she puts me through and that's a lot of trouble Annabelle is still my best friend.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Correct the incorrect punctuation, and add the...

Deck 32: Other Punctuation Marks