ITBS Capitalization and Punctuation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly capitalizes a historical event?
- My grandfather fought in world war II.
- My grandfather fought in World War ii.
- My grandfather fought in World War II. (Correct answer)
- My grandfather fought in world War II.
Correct answer: My grandfather fought in World War II.
Specific historical events are proper nouns and require all main words to be capitalized.
Question 2: Which sentence shows correct use of commas with an appositive phrase?
- My teacher, Mr. Rivera teaches math.
- My teacher Mr. Rivera, teaches math.
- My teacher, Mr. Rivera, teaches math. (Correct answer)
- My teacher Mr. Rivera teaches math.
Correct answer: My teacher, Mr. Rivera, teaches math.
An appositive phrase that renames or identifies a noun must be set off with commas on both sides.
Question 3: Which sentence is an example of correct punctuation for an abbreviation?
- We arrived at 300 Elm St
- We arrived at 300 Elm St. (Correct answer)
- We arrived at 300 Elm. St
- We arrived at 300 Elm S.t.
Correct answer: We arrived at 300 Elm St.
Abbreviations like 'St.' for 'Street' require a period at the end.
Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe for a plural possessive noun?
- The teacher's lounge is on the second floor.
- The teachers lounge is on the second floor.
- The teachers' lounge is on the second floor. (Correct answer)
- The teacher's' lounge is on the second floor.
Correct answer: The teachers' lounge is on the second floor.
For plural nouns ending in 's', add only an apostrophe after the 's' to show possession.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly capitalizes a brand name?
- She drinks coca-cola every afternoon.
- She drinks Coca-Cola every afternoon. (Correct answer)
- She drinks coca-Cola every afternoon.
- She drinks Coca-cola every afternoon.
Correct answer: She drinks Coca-Cola every afternoon.
Brand names are proper nouns and must be capitalized exactly as the company spells them.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a comma before a coordinating conjunction?
- I wanted to go to the park but it was raining.
- I wanted to go to the park, but it was raining. (Correct answer)
- I wanted to go to the park but, it was raining.
- I wanted, to go to the park but it was raining.
Correct answer: I wanted to go to the park, but it was raining.
When a coordinating conjunction like 'but' joins two independent clauses, a comma comes before it.
Question 7: Which sentence has an error in capitalization?
- We celebrate Thanksgiving in November.
- The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean.
- I read a poem called 'the road not taken.' (Correct answer)
- She visited the Lincoln Memorial.
Correct answer: I read a poem called 'the road not taken.'
In a poem title, the first word and all major words must be capitalized: 'The Road Not Taken'.
ITBS Capitalization and Punctuation 5
Which sentence correctly capitalizes a historical event?