Free ACT English: Punctuation for Clauses and Phrases Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction?

Accepted Answer

The storm intensified overnight, so the evacuation order was issued at dawn.

Answer

The storm intensified overnight so, the evacuation order was issued at dawn.

Answer

The storm intensified overnight, so, the evacuation order was issued.

Answer

The storm intensified overnight so the evacuation order, was issued.

Question 2

Identify the correct use of a colon: Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The recipe requires three main ingredients: flour, eggs, and butter.

Answer

The recipe requires: flour, eggs, and butter.

Answer

The recipe requires three main ingredients, flour, eggs, and butter.

Answer

The recipe requires three main ingredients; flour, eggs, and butter.

Question 3

Which correctly punctuates an introductory adverb clause?

Accepted Answer

Although she had never skied before, she completed the advanced slope.

Answer

Although she had never skied before she completed the advanced slope.

Answer

Although, she had never skied before, she completed the advanced slope.

Answer

She completed the advanced slope, although she had never skied before,

Question 4

Which sentence uses dashes correctly to set off a parenthetical phrase?

Accepted Answer

The winning team—the one that had practiced the longest—received the trophy.

Answer

The winning team — the one that, had practiced the longest — received the trophy.

Answer

The winning team—the one that had practiced the longest, received the trophy.

Answer

The winning team, the one that had practiced the longest—received the trophy.

Question 5

Which correctly punctuates this sentence with a nonrestrictive appositive? "My older sister [BLANK] a marine biologist [BLANK] studies coral reef ecosystems."

Accepted Answer

"My older sister, a marine biologist, studies coral reef ecosystems."

Answer

"My older sister a marine biologist studies coral reef ecosystems."

Answer

"My older sister, a marine biologist studies coral reef ecosystems."

Answer

"My older sister — a marine biologist studies coral reef ecosystems."

Question 6

When should a semicolon NOT be used?

Accepted Answer

Between an independent clause and a dependent clause: "She studied hard; because she wanted to pass."

Answer

Between two closely related independent clauses: "He ran; she walked."

Answer

Before a conjunctive adverb: "It rained; however, they continued the game."

Answer

To separate items in a list that already contains commas: "Paris, France; Rome, Italy; Madrid, Spain."