Comma and Semicolon Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. The draft reads, “Because the deadline moved we revised the schedule.” Which editing instruction is correct?
Add a comma after the introductory dependent clause ending with “moved.”
Place a semicolon immediately after the word “Because.”
Insert a colon between “deadline” and “moved.”
Set off the subject “we” with commas.
2. Which sentence avoids placing a colon incorrectly between a verb and its completion?
The emergency supplies included: rope, water, and a flashlight.
The emergency kit included rope, water, and a flashlight.
The bag was packed with: water, food, and spare batteries.
The kit contained items such as: a radio, matches, and a blanket.
3. A panel consists of Ana, the editor; Ben, the illustrator; and Cara, the publisher. Which punctuation plan makes this list clearest?
Use commas within each name-and-role unit and semicolons between the three units.
Separate every name and every role with commas only.
Put a colon between each person’s name and role, then commas between people.
Place semicolons after the names but commas after the roles.
4. Lena is the person being addressed in “Could you review this paragraph Lena?” Which edit is correct?
Insert a comma between “you” and “review.”
Add a comma before the name “Lena.”
Place a semicolon after “paragraph.”
Set off “this paragraph” with two commas.
5. A network policy applies only to employees who work remotely. Which sentence conveys that restricted meaning correctly?
Employees who work remotely must use the secure network.
Because every employee works remotely, the entire staff must use the secure network.
Remote work is optional, but all employees must connect through the secure network.
Employees must use the secure network; especially those with remote schedules.
6. The draft reads, “The route looked shorter however it took nearly an hour.” Which punctuation plan is correct?
Put a colon before “however” and a comma after it.
Set “however” off with a comma on each side.
Put a semicolon before “however” and a comma after it.
Use a semicolon before “however” without adding a following comma.
7. In the sentence “After the final rehearsal the cast packed its costumes,” where should a comma be added?
Place it immediately after “After.”
Insert it between “cast” and “packed.”
Set off the word “final” with commas.
Place it after the complete introductory phrase “After the final rehearsal.”
8. The sentence “The coach repeated one instruction ‘Keep moving’” uses the quotation to explain a complete statement. Which edit is correct?
Add a colon after the complete introductory statement ending in “instruction.”
Place a semicolon between “one” and “instruction.”
Insert a colon immediately after the verb “repeated.”
Set off the word “instruction” with two commas.
9. A writer wants to emphasize the contrast between a rainy forecast and a match continuing, without adding a conjunction. Which version uses a semicolon correctly?
Although rain was forecast; the match continued as planned.
Rain was forecast; but the match continued as planned.
The forecast warned; of rain, yet the match continued.
Rain was forecast; the match continued as planned.
10. A writer wants to connect “The storm passed” and “The crew returned to the deck” without using a conjunction. Which version uses a semicolon correctly?
Because the storm had passed; the crew returned to the deck.
The storm passed; the crew returned to the deck.
The storm; having passed, allowed the crew onto the deck.
The storm passed; and the crew returned to the deck.
11. The sentence “The warning was clear do not enter the tunnel” uses the final words to explain the warning. How should it be punctuated?
Add a comma immediately after the verb “was.”
Insert a semicolon between “warning” and “was.”
Place a colon after the complete statement “The warning was clear.”
Put a colon between “The warning” and “was clear.”
12. An editor wants to retain “and” in the sentence “The lights dimmed and the audience became quiet.” Which punctuation follows the standard pattern for joining the two independent clauses?
Insert a semicolon immediately before “and.”
Place a comma directly after “and.”
Add a comma between “lights” and “dimmed.”
Put a comma before the coordinating conjunction “and.”
13. Maya writes, “Maya brought exactly what the recipe required flour, yeast, water, and salt.” Which edit correctly introduces the list?
Add a comma after “required.”
Insert a semicolon before “flour.”
Place a colon after “required.”
Put a colon directly after “brought.”
14. The draft says, “I finished the report, Sam sent it to the client.” Which revision fixes the comma splice by using a coordinating conjunction?
After finishing the report, I gave the document to Sam for delivery.
I finished the report; consequently, Sam forwarded it to the client.
Once my work was complete, Sam sent the report to the client.
I finished the report, and Sam sent it to the client.
15. In “The library which reopened in May now offers evening classes,” the reopening date is extra information about one specific library. Which edit is appropriate?
Add a single comma immediately after “library.”
Place a semicolon on each side of the reopening detail.
Set off “which reopened in May” with a pair of commas.
Insert one comma between “May” and “now,” leaving the clause open.
16. The draft says, “The conference in Austin Texas begins Monday.” How should the city and state be punctuated within the sentence?
Use a semicolon after “Austin” and a comma after “Texas.”
Place a comma after “Austin” and another after “Texas.”
Add only one comma between “Texas” and “begins.”
Set off the entire phrase “in Austin Texas” with parentheses.