OSSLT Applying Punctuation Rules 2

Question 1

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

Accepted Answer

The dogs' bowl was empty.

Answer

'Dogs'' shows plural possessive — the bowl belongs to multiple dogs.

Question 2

Where should the comma be placed in this sentence: 'After finishing her homework Maya went outside'?

Accepted Answer

After finishing her homework, Maya went outside.

Answer

A comma follows an introductory adverbial phrase before the main clause begins.

Question 3

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

Accepted Answer

The test was hard; however, everyone passed.

Answer

A semicolon before a conjunctive adverb like 'however' (followed by a comma) correctly joins two independent clauses.

Question 4

Which option correctly punctuates this list: 'We need eggs milk bread and butter'?

Accepted Answer

We need eggs, milk, bread, and butter.

Answer

Commas separate items in a series, including before the final 'and' (Oxford comma style).

Question 5

Which sentence correctly uses quotation marks?

Accepted Answer

She said, "I'll be there soon."

Answer

A comma after the dialogue tag and a period inside the closing quotation mark is standard punctuation.

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Practice Test