Writing and Editing Punctuation

Question 1

Which sentence uses the Oxford comma?

Accepted Answer

I bought pens, paper, and folders.

Answer

I bought pens, paper and folders.

Answer

I bought pens paper, and folders.

Answer

I bought pens and paper and folders.

Question 2

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

Accepted Answer

She loves editing; she reads grammar books daily.

Answer

She loves editing; grammar books.

Answer

She loves editing; and she reads grammar books.

Answer

She loves editing, she reads grammar books; daily.

Question 3

Where should the comma be placed in this sentence: 'After the meeting the editor reviewed all the drafts'?

Accepted Answer

After 'meeting, the'

Answer

After 'editor, reviewed'

Answer

After 'reviewed, all'

Answer

No comma is needed.

Question 4

Which sentence uses an em dash correctly?

Accepted Answer

The editor—a veteran journalist—approved the piece.

Answer

She submitted — the draft — early.

Answer

She submitted the draft — early.

Answer

The editor — a veteran journalist approved the piece.

Question 5

Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?

Accepted Answer

The editors' desk is cluttered.

Answer

The editor's' desk is cluttered.

Answer

The editors's desk is cluttered.

Answer

The editors desk' is cluttered.

Question 6

In American English, where does the period go relative to closing quotation marks?

Accepted Answer

Inside the closing quotation mark

Answer

Outside the closing quotation mark

Answer

On a new line

Answer

Either position is acceptable