OSSLT Applying Punctuation Rules 3

Question 1

Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

Accepted Answer

She packed everything—food, water, and a tent—for the trip.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Did she ask, "Are you coming?"

Answer

When a quotation is itself a question, the question mark goes inside the quotation marks.

Question 3

Which option is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

Jordan, who is my best friend, moved away.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

I can't believe we won!

Answer

Exclamation marks express strong emotion or emphasis, making them appropriate for surprising or exciting news.

Question 5

Which sentence correctly uses parentheses?

Accepted Answer

The answer is forty-two (the ultimate answer).

Answer

Parentheses enclose supplementary or clarifying information that isn't essential to the sentence.

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Practice Test