OSSLT Applying Punctuation Rules 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses dashes correctly?
- She packed everything—food, water, and a tent—for the trip. (Correct answer)
- She packed—everything for the trip.
- She—packed everything for the trip.
- She packed everything for—the trip.
Correct answer: She packed everything—food, water, and a tent—for the trip.
Em dashes can set off a parenthetical phrase or list that interrupts the main clause.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly places punctuation with a question mark?
- Did she ask, "Are you coming"?
- Did she ask, "Are you coming?" (Correct answer)
- Did she ask "Are you coming?"
- Did she ask, 'Are you coming?'
Correct answer: Did she ask, "Are you coming?"
When a quotation is itself a question, the question mark goes inside the quotation marks.
Question 3: Which option is punctuated correctly?
- Jordan who is my best friend moved away.
- Jordan, who is my best friend moved away.
- Jordan, who is my best friend, moved away. (Correct answer)
- Jordan who is my best friend, moved away.
Correct answer: Jordan, who is my best friend, moved away.
A non-restrictive relative clause (extra information not essential to meaning) is set off by commas on both sides.
Question 4: In which sentence is the exclamation mark used appropriately?
- Please pass the salt!
- I can't believe we won! (Correct answer)
- The store opens at nine!
- She said she would come!
Correct answer: I can't believe we won!
Exclamation marks express strong emotion or emphasis, making them appropriate for surprising or exciting news.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses parentheses?
- The answer (is forty-two to all questions.
- The answer is forty-two (the ultimate answer). (Correct answer)
- The (answer) is forty-two.
- The answer is (forty-two to everything).
Correct answer: The answer is forty-two (the ultimate answer).
Parentheses enclose supplementary or clarifying information that isn't essential to the sentence.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses an ellipsis?
- She paused ... and then spoke.
- She paused…and then spoke.
- She paused . . . and then spoke
- She paused... and then spoke. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: She paused... and then spoke.
An ellipsis is three periods with no spaces between them, followed by a space before the next word.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly punctuates a compound sentence?
- He wanted to sleep but he had to study.
- He wanted to sleep, but, he had to study.
- He wanted to sleep, but he had to study. (Correct answer)
- He wanted to sleep; but he had to study.
Correct answer: He wanted to sleep, but he had to study.
A comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) joins two independent clauses in a compound sentence.
OSSLT Applying Punctuation Rules 3
Which sentence uses dashes correctly?