NoRedInk Punctuation Usage 2

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

Accepted Answer

She studied hard; however, she still failed.

Answer

A semicolon can join two independent clauses, especially when a conjunctive adverb like 'however' follows.

Question 2

Where should a colon be placed in this sentence: 'She needed three things milk eggs and butter'?

Accepted Answer

She needed three things: milk, eggs, and butter.

Answer

A colon introduces a list and is placed after the complete introductory clause.

Question 3

Which sentence correctly uses an em dash?

Accepted Answer

My dog—a golden retriever—loves to swim.

Answer

Em dashes are used in pairs to set off a parenthetical phrase and appear without spaces.

Question 4

Which option correctly punctuates the following: 'The results were surprising we had won'?

Accepted Answer

The results were surprising; we had won.

Answer

Two independent clauses cannot be joined with a comma alone (comma splice); a semicolon is correct here.

Question 5

In the title 'Dr. Smith's well-known book', what punctuation marks appear?

Accepted Answer

A period, an apostrophe, and a hyphen.

Answer

The period follows the abbreviation 'Dr.', the apostrophe shows possession, and the hyphen links 'well-known'.

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