California High School Proficiency Exam California High School Proficiency Exam Language Mechanics

Question 1

Which sentence uses a comma correctly?

Accepted Answer

After the game, we celebrated at a restaurant.

Answer

A comma should follow an introductory adverbial phrase or clause before the main clause.

Question 2

Which sentence correctly punctuates an indirect question?

Accepted Answer

She asked whether I was ready.

Answer

Indirect questions are statements, not questions, so they end with a period rather than a question mark.

Question 3

Where should the apostrophe be placed to show that multiple students share books?

Accepted Answer

students' books

Answer

When a plural noun already ends in -s, the apostrophe is placed after the s to show possession.

Question 4

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

Accepted Answer

She loves reading; she goes to the library every week.

Answer

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 5

Which sentence with dialogue is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

"Come here," she said. "I need your help."

Answer

When a speech tag is followed by a new complete sentence of dialogue, the tag ends with a period.

California High School Proficiency Exam Practice Test