Semicolon Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A meeting includes representatives whose names are followed by their departments. Which list is punctuated correctly?
Split each first name from the surname: The representatives were Lena; Ortiz, finance, Omar; Reed, operations, and Mei; Chen, design.
Separate each representative and department pair: The representatives were Lena Ortiz, finance; Omar Reed, operations; and Mei Chen, design.
Divide every name from its department: The representatives were Lena Ortiz; finance, Omar Reed; operations, and Mei Chen; design.
Insert the semicolon after the introductory subject: The representatives; were Lena Ortiz, finance, Omar Reed, operations, and Mei Chen, design.
2. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon before an example introduced by “for example”?
Separate the verb from its object: Several nocturnal animals visit; the yard, for example, foxes appear after midnight.
Break the subject from the predicate: Several nocturnal animals; visit the yard, for example, foxes appear after midnight.
Place the semicolon after the transition: Several nocturnal animals visit the yard, for example; foxes appear after midnight.
Separate the complete clauses before the transition: Several nocturnal animals visit the yard; for example, foxes appear after midnight.
3. Which itinerary uses semicolons correctly to separate destinations that already contain commas?
Split cities from states: The route includes Albany; New York, Burlington; Vermont, and Concord; New Hampshire.
Put the semicolon after the introductory phrase: The route; includes Albany, New York, Burlington, Vermont, and Concord, New Hampshire.
Insert a semicolon inside the final separator: The route includes Albany, New York; Burlington, Vermont, and; Concord, New Hampshire.
Separate the complete destinations: The route includes Albany, New York; Burlington, Vermont; and Concord, New Hampshire.
4. An order contains several groups with internal commas. Which version clearly separates the three main groups?
Separate the main groups: The order includes three notebooks, two ruled and one plain; four pens, two blue and two black; and a ruler.
Split quantities from their descriptions: The order includes three notebooks; two ruled and one plain, four pens; two blue and two black, and a ruler.
Divide the details inside each group: The order includes three notebooks, two ruled; and one plain, four pens, two blue; and two black, and a ruler.
Place the semicolon after the opening subject: The order; includes three notebooks, two ruled and one plain, four pens, two blue and two black, and a ruler.
5. Jules checked the figures, Priya prepared the chart. Which revision fixes the error while keeping the wording in one sentence?
Break the verb from its object: Jules checked; the figures, Priya prepared the chart.
Separate the subject from its verb: Jules; checked the figures, Priya prepared the chart.
Join the complete clauses: Jules checked the figures; Priya prepared the chart.
Split the second subject and predicate: Jules checked the figures, Priya; prepared the chart.
6. Which revision correctly punctuates the transition in “Maya did not discard the damaged chair; instead, she repaired it”?
Use a semicolon before the transition and a comma after it: Maya did not discard the damaged chair; instead, she repaired it.
Introduce the transition with a colon and follow it with a semicolon: Maya did not discard the damaged chair: instead; she repaired it.
Place semicolons on both sides of the transition: Maya did not discard the damaged chair; instead; she repaired it.
Join the independent clauses with only a comma: Maya did not discard the damaged chair, instead, she repaired it.
7. Which sentence correctly places a semicolon between two complete clauses?
Because the forecast changed; we postponed the picnic.
The forecast; changed before the picnic.
We postponed the picnic; because the forecast changed.
The forecast changed; we postponed the picnic.
8. Which sentence uses a semicolon incorrectly?
I called twice; no one answered.
The panel included Ana Ruiz, a biologist; Mark Bell, an architect; and Noor Khan, a historian.
If you finish early; leave the package at reception.
The lights dimmed; then the curtain rose.
9. Which sentence is correctly punctuated without needing a semicolon?
The storm; arrived before sunset.
We stayed inside because the storm was severe.
We brought; flashlights in case the power failed.
Although the storm ended; the roads remained flooded.
10. A museum guide is checking the day's schedule. Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
The museum closes at six; our tour begins at four.
The museum closes at six; and our tour begins at four.
When the museum closes at six; our tour will be over.
The museum guide scheduled; our tour for four.
11. Which sentence places the semicolon correctly in relation to the closing quotation mark?
Keep the semicolon inside the quotation: The label read “fragile;” nevertheless, the box was placed underneath the others.
Place the semicolon before the quoted word: The label read; “fragile,” nevertheless, the box was placed underneath the others.
Put the semicolon outside the closing quotation mark: The label read “fragile”; nevertheless, the box was placed underneath the others.
Separate the subject from its verb before the quotation: The label; read “fragile”; nevertheless, the box was placed underneath the others.
12. In which sentence can the blank correctly be filled with a semicolon?
Although the printer failed ___ we completed the report.
We packed the report early ___ because the printer was unreliable.
After the printer failed ___ the technician arrived.
The printer failed ___ we emailed the report instead.
13. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon with the conjunctive adverb “however”?
Comma before the transition: The deadline is Friday, however, the files are not ready.
Semicolons on both sides: The deadline is Friday; however; the files are not ready.
Semicolon before and comma after: The deadline is Friday; however, the files are not ready.
Comma before and semicolon after: The deadline is Friday, however; the files are not ready.
14. Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly to connect two closely related independent clauses?
Semicolon after the subject: The rain; stopped before the match resumed.
Two complete clauses: The rain stopped; we resumed the match.
Break after a dependent clause: Because the rain stopped; we resumed the match.
Semicolon inside the predicate: We resumed; the match after the rain stopped.
15. A conference roster lists participants by city and state. Which version is punctuated correctly?
Separate the complete place names: Participants arrived from Portland, Maine; Austin, Texas; and Dover, Delaware.
Divide each city from its state: Participants arrived from Portland; Maine, Austin; Texas, and Dover; Delaware.
Place a separator within the final entry: Participants arrived from Portland, Maine; Austin, Texas, and; Dover, Delaware.
Insert the separator after the subject: Participants; arrived from Portland, Maine, Austin, Texas, and Dover, Delaware.
16. The first proposal reduces cost, the second emphasizes speed. Which mark should replace the comma to preserve one sentence and correctly show the contrast between two independent clauses?
Retain a comma between the clauses.
Replace it with a semicolon.
Substitute a colon before the contrast.
Use a period and create two sentences.