Colon Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A writer wants to connect two complete, closely related thoughts without adding a conjunction. Which version is correct?
The rehearsal ended late; the cast still stayed to clean up.
Although the rehearsal ended late; the cast stayed to clean up.
The rehearsal ended late, the cast stayed afterward to clean up.
The rehearsal ended late; but the cast stayed to clean up.
2. A hiker uses “therefore” to connect two independent clauses. Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
The trail was icy, therefore we decided to turn back.
Because the trail was icy; therefore, we turned back.
The trail was icy; therefore, we turned back.
The trail was icy: therefore; turning back was our decision.
3. Which punctuation mark correctly completes the sentence “The evidence points to a single problem___contamination of the sample”?
A colon
A semicolon
A comma
No punctuation
4. A travel itinerary names three city-country pairs. Which version uses semicolons correctly to separate the items?
The route begins in Lima; Peru, continues to Quito; Ecuador, and ends in Bogotá; Colombia.
The route includes Lima, Peru; Quito, Ecuador; and Bogotá, Colombia.
The route includes Lima, Peru, followed by Quito, Ecuador, followed by Bogotá, Colombia.
The destinations are: Lima: Peru, Quito: Ecuador, and Bogotá: Colombia.
5. A project schedule pairs three people with tasks. Which version correctly introduces the series and separates its internally punctuated items?
The schedule lists three person-task pairs: Priya, research; Omar, design; and Lena, editing.
The schedule identifies Priya; research, Omar; design, and Lena; editing as its three pairs.
The schedule lists three pairs, including Priya: research, Omar: design, and Lena: editing.
The schedule lists: three assignments for Priya, research; Omar, design; and Lena, editing.
6. Which revision correctly uses a colon to combine the ideas that Mara had one goal and wanted to finish before sunset?
Mara's goal was: finishing the work before sunset.
Mara had one goal: to finish before sunset.
Mara had one goal; finishing the work before sunset.
Mara had one goal, and it was to finish before sunset.
7. An office notice announces two schedule changes. Which version correctly introduces both details?
The notice lists; two changes affecting when the office and appointments begin.
The notice lists two changes; the office opens at nine while appointments begin at ten.
The notice lists two changes: the office will open at nine, and appointments will start at ten.
The notice: explains that opening and appointment times will change.
8. Which sentence is correctly punctuated without a colon because the verb directly introduces its objects?
The recipe has one requirement use fresh milk.
You need the following ingredients flour, eggs, and milk.
Bring three ingredients flour, eggs, and milk.
The ingredients include flour, eggs, and milk.
9. Which punctuation mark best completes this sentence? “The forecast called for rain___the match continued as planned.”
A comma
A semicolon
No punctuation
A colon
10. What is the best standard correction of the sentence “The alarm rang; and everyone left”?
The alarm rang; and everyone quickly left the building.
When the alarm rang, and everyone left the building.
The alarm rang, everyone left the building immediately.
The alarm rang, and everyone left the building.
11. An editor wants to introduce emergency supplies with a colon. Which sentence meets that goal?
For the emergency kit, I packed a flashlight, batteries, and water.
I packed three essentials: a flashlight, batteries, and water.
My emergency supplies included a flashlight along with batteries and water.
The emergency kit consists of: a flashlight, batteries, and water.
12. A formal notice introduces a complete quoted warning after a full sentence. Which version uses a colon correctly?
The witness said, “Do not open the door.”
The witness: repeated a warning about opening the door.
The witness repeated one warning: “Do not open the door.”
The witness repeated: “Do not open the door.”
13. A report states a conclusion and then supplies the reason for it. Which version is correctly punctuated?
The train's delay resulted from: a signal failure outside the station.
Because a signal failed: the train arrived several minutes late.
The train was delayed for one reason: a signal had failed.
The train: arrived late because a signal failed outside the station.
14. What must generally come before a colon that introduces a list or explanation in standard edited English?
A phrase ending with a preposition such as by or with
A dependent clause beginning with because or although
Any verb that is followed by its objects
A complete independent clause
15. In standard edited English, why is “The main reason is: the roads are flooded” usually incorrect?
A colon cannot introduce an explanation.
The words after a colon must always form a fragment.
A colon may appear only after a noun.
The colon improperly separates the linking verb from its complement.
16. What is a primary use of a semicolon between clauses?
To join closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction
To separate a dependent clause from the main clause it modifies
To introduce a list immediately after any verb
To replace a comma whenever a writer wants a longer pause