IEO Punctuation & Capitalization 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Choose the sentence with correct apostrophe usage:
- The childrens' toys are scattered.
- The children's toys are scattered. (Correct answer)
- The childrens toys are scattered.
- The childrens's toys are scattered.
Correct answer: The children's toys are scattered.
'Children' is already plural without an 's,' so possession is shown by adding apostrophe + s: children's.
Question 2: Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?
- She (ran quickly) to school.
- The capital of France (Paris) is a beautiful city. (Correct answer)
- He ate (lunch) at noon.
- (She) went to the market.
Correct answer: The capital of France (Paris) is a beautiful city.
Parentheses are used to add supplementary or clarifying information — 'Paris' clarifies 'the capital of France.'
Question 3: In which sentence are question marks used correctly?
- She asked if I was ready?
- Did you finish your homework? (Correct answer)
- I wonder what time it is?
- He needs to know where you are?
Correct answer: Did you finish your homework?
A question mark is used after a direct question — 'Did you finish your homework?' is a direct question.
Question 4: Which of the following properly capitalizes a proper noun?
- We visited a national park in colorado.
- We visited a National Park in Colorado.
- We visited a national park in Colorado. (Correct answer)
- we visited a national park in Colorado.
Correct answer: We visited a national park in Colorado.
'Colorado' is a proper noun (a state name) and must be capitalized; 'national park' is a common noun and is not capitalized.
Question 5: What is the correct punctuation for a compound sentence?
- She loves music she plays the piano daily.
- She loves music, she plays the piano daily.
- She loves music, and she plays the piano daily. (Correct answer)
- She loves music; and she plays the piano daily.
Correct answer: She loves music, and she plays the piano daily.
Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and) require a comma before the conjunction.
Question 6: Which sentence uses a semicolon incorrectly?
- I love reading; it expands my vocabulary.
- She is talented; moreover, she works very hard.
- He ran quickly; because he was late. (Correct answer)
- The meeting ended early; everyone left by noon.
Correct answer: He ran quickly; because he was late.
A semicolon should not be placed before a subordinating conjunction like 'because' — use a comma or no punctuation instead.
IEO Punctuation & Capitalization 3
Choose the sentence with correct apostrophe usage: