Using Punctuation

Read the sentence. The entire first period class agreed that yesterday's algebra homework which the teacher assigned was a really fun challenge. How should the writer revise the punctuation in the sentence so that it is grammatically correct? A. Insert commas around "yesterday's algebra homework" because it is a restrictive element. B. Insert a comma after "the entire first period class" because it is a restrictive element. C. Insert commas around "which the teacher assigned" because it is a nonrestrictive element. D. Insert a comma before "a really fun challenge" because it is a nonrestrictive element.

Read the sentence. I spend about half my time, he spends two thirds of his time, and she spends a quarter, or maybe a third, of her time on research. Where in the sentence should the writer add a hyphen? A. I spend about-half my time, he spends two thirds of his time, and she spends a quarter, or maybe a third, of her time on research. B. I spend about half my time, he spends two-thirds of his time, and she spends a quarter, or maybe a third, of her time on research. C. I spend about half my time, he spends two thirds of his time, and she spends a quarter, or maybe a-third, of her time on research. D. I spend about half my time, he spends two thirds of his time, and she spends a quarter, or maybe-a-third, of her time on research.

A writer should hyphenate a compound modifier that A. contains an adverb ending in -ly. B. comes after the noun it modifies. C. comes before the noun it modifies. D. contains an adjective ending in -ive.

When items in a list already contain commas, the writer should separate the items in the list using A. commas. B. hyphens. C. periods. D. semicolons.

Sometimes hyphens are used to link words that work together to modify a single noun. These linked words are called A. compound modifiers. B. nonrestrictive elements. C. independent clauses. D. restrictive elements.

Which sentences contain phrases that are hyphenated correctly? Check all that apply. A. Over a-third of our class walks to school, while another-third rides the bus. B. The recipe only uses one-sixteenth of a cup of sugar per thirty-two cupcakes. C. We planted forty-two trees, but the twenty-two apple trees were my favorites. D. I will be twenty-five years old the same year that my grandma is one-hundred. E. We had to memorize twenty-one verses, which was only one-half of the poem.

Which sentence contains a list that is punctuated correctly? A. My favorite foods include chicken tamales, beef fajitas and black beans. B. One day, I hope to own a blue car, a purple motorcycle, and a yellow truck. C. The farm we visited grew vegetables; fresh herbs; and flowers. D. For the camping trip, we packed a water bottle a nylon tent, and a fishing pole.

Which types of punctuation can be used to set off a nonrestrictive element in a sentence? Check all that apply. A. commas B. dashes C. hyphens D. parentheses E. quotation marks

Read the sentence. Our band practices on Mondays at Josef's Thursdays at Lena's and Saturdays at my house. What is the correct way to punctuate the sentence? A. Our band practices on Mondays at Josef's, Thursdays at Lena's, and Saturdays at my house. B. Our band practices on: Mondays at Josef's, Thursdays at Lena's, and Saturdays at my house. C. Our band practices on Mondays at Josef's; Thursdays at Lena's; and Saturdays at my house. D. Our band practices on Mondays: at Josef's,Thursdays: at Lena's, and Saturdays: at my house.

Read the sentence. We could choose one of three ice cream flavors that had strawberries: cherries; and blueberries; chocolate chips: peanut butter, and fudge; or almonds: walnuts and pecans. What is the correct way to revise the punctuation in the sentence? A. We could choose one of three ice cream flavors that had strawberries, cherries, and blueberries; chocolate chips, peanut butter, and fudge; or almonds, walnuts, and pecans. B. We could choose one of three ice cream flavors that had strawberries: cherries: and blueberries; chocolate chips: peanut butter: and fudge; or almonds: walnuts: and pecans. C. We could choose one of three ice cream flavors that had strawberries, cherries, and blueberries, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and fudge, or almonds, walnuts, and pecans. D. We could choose one of three ice cream flavors that had strawberries; cherries; and blueberries; chocolate chips; peanut butter; and fudge; or almonds; walnuts; and pecans.