Applying Punctuation Rules Flashcards
6 cards from real OSSLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Applying Punctuation Rules flashcards as text
Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to separate items in a series?
Answer: For our hike, we need to bring water, snacks, a map, and a first-aid kit.
When listing three or more items in a series, a comma should be placed after each item to separate it from the next. The comma before the conjunction 'and' (the Oxford or serial comma) is standard in formal writing to prevent ambiguity.
A student is writing about a project completed by her colleague, Jess. Which sentence shows the correct use of an apostrophe for possession?
Answer: Jess's project was selected as the winner.
To show possession for a singular noun, even one that ends in 's', the standard rule is to add an apostrophe and another 's' ('s).
Which of the following sentences correctly punctuates the dialogue?
Answer: "What is the password for the Wi-Fi?" asked the visitor.
When a direct quote is a question, the question mark must be placed inside the closing quotation mark.
A student wants to join two closely related independent clauses without using a conjunction like 'and' or 'but'. Which sentence does this correctly?
Answer: The library is quiet today; it's the perfect place to study.
A semicolon (;) is used to connect two closely related independent clauses (complete sentences) without a coordinating conjunction. Using only a comma creates a 'comma splice' error.
Which of the following sentences requires a question mark at the end?
Answer: Could you please tell me how to get to the main office
A direct question, which asks something of the reader, must end with a question mark. The other sentences are indirect questions; they are statements that report a question and should end with a period.
Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses?
Answer: The movie was long, but it was very entertaining.
When connecting two independent clauses (complete sentences) with a coordinating conjunction like 'but', a comma must be placed before the conjunction.