AST Punctuation and Sentence Structure 1

Question 1

Which sentence uses a comma correctly?

Accepted Answer

She went to the store, and she bought milk.

Answer

A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or) joining two independent clauses.

Question 2

Which of the following is a sentence fragment?

Accepted Answer

Running through the park in the rain.

Answer

A fragment lacks a subject or verb. 'Running through the park in the rain' has no independent subject-verb pair.

Question 3

What punctuation mark correctly joins two independent clauses without a conjunction?

Accepted Answer

Semicolon

Answer

A semicolon connects two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.

Question 4

Which sentence contains a run-on error?

Accepted Answer

It was raining we stayed inside.

Answer

'It was raining we stayed inside' fuses two independent clauses without punctuation or a conjunction.

Question 5

In the sentence 'My brother, who lives in Denver, is a doctor,' the commas set off a:

Accepted Answer

Nonrestrictive clause

Answer

Nonrestrictive (nonessential) clauses add extra information and are set off by commas.

AST - ACT Scaling Test Practice Test