Free Punctuation MCQs with Answers

308 Punctuation MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Punctuation marks show structure, pauses, relationships and emphasis in written sentences. Questions cover commas in lists, clauses and nonessential phrases, semicolons between independent clauses, colons, apostrophes, quotation marks and hyphens, as well as the errors that create fragments, run-on sentences or comma splices.

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308 questions · page 1 of 16

  • A. My brother who lives in Karachi is a doctor.
  • B. My brother, who lives in Karachi, is a doctor.
  • C. My brother who lives in Karachi, is a doctor.
  • D. My brother, who lives in Karachi is a doctor.

Explanation: A non defining relative clause, one that adds extra information rather than identifying which brother, is enclosed by a pair of commas.

Correct answer: My brother, who lives in Karachi, is a doctor.
  • A. Its raining and the dog has lost its collar.
  • B. It's raining and the dog has lost it's collar.
  • C. It's raining and the dog has lost its collar.
  • D. Its' raining and the dog has lost its' collar.

Explanation: It's with an apostrophe is only ever the contraction of it is or it has, while its without one is the possessive.

Correct answer: It's raining and the dog has lost its collar.
  • A. The lecture was long; but interesting.
  • B. The lecture was long; it was nevertheless interesting.
  • C. The lecture was long; and the students were tired.
  • D. The lecture; was long and interesting.

Explanation: A semicolon joins two complete independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, which is exactly what the second option does.

Correct answer: The lecture was long; it was nevertheless interesting.
  • A. The teaching staff asked the principal what time the meeting would start.
  • B. The teaching staff asked the principal: "What time would the meeting start"?
  • C. The teaching staff asked the principal, "What time would the meeting start?"
  • D. The teaching staff asked the principal; "What time would the meeting start?"

Explanation: A direct quotation is introduced by a comma, begins with a capital letter and keeps its question mark inside the closing quotation marks.

Correct answer: The teaching staff asked the principal, "What time would the meeting start?"
Easy
  • A. ?
  • B. :
  • C. ;
  • D. !Pakistan Studies Quiz

Explanation: A semicolon is written as “;” and separates closely related independent clauses or items in a complex list.

Correct answer: ;
Moderate
  • A. Hundred-Dollars
  • B. Hundreds-Dollar
  • C. Hundred-Dollar
  • D. Hundreds-Dollars

Explanation: In a compound adjective before a noun, the number and dollar unit are hyphenated and the unit remains singular: “a three-hundred-dollar…

Correct answer: Hundred-Dollar
  • A. The wind blew, the rain fell, and the lightning flashed.
  • B. The wind bleu the rain fell, and the lightning flashed
  • C. The wind blew the rain fell, and the lightning flashed
  • D. The wind blew, the rain fell; and the lightning flashed.

Explanation: Option A is correct because of the correct use of punctuation. In the sentence, the cumulative conjunction 'and' has been used to join the…

Correct answer: The wind blew, the rain fell, and the lightning flashed.
  • A. There·s Mr. Hashim whom they say is the best portrait painter in the town.
  • B. There's Mr. Hashim, who they say is the best portrait painter in the town.
  • C. Theres' Mr. Hashim which they say is the portrait painter in the town.
  • D. There's Mr. Hashim who they say is best portrait painter in the town.

Explanation: The correct answer is Option B: There's Mr. Hashim, who they say is the best portrait painter in the town.

Correct answer: There's Mr. Hashim, who they say is the best portrait painter in the town.
  • A. .
  • B. ,
  • C. :
  • D. ;

Explanation: A semicolon is most commonly used to link (in a single sentence) two independent clauses that are closely related in thought.

Correct answer: ;
  • A. Following
  • B. Breakfast
  • C. Dinner
  • D. Wi-Fi

Explanation: The word "following" is correctly used to introduce a list. However, it should be followed by a colon rather than a comma when introducing…

Correct answer: Following
  • A. Appear
  • B. Complex, but even
  • C. Can be created
  • D. Just two stitches

Explanation: "Just two stitches" - This phrase is the most important part of the sentence because it reveals the surprising simplicity behind…

Correct answer: Just two stitches
  • A. Best option
  • B. Game; without
  • C. Player, the
  • D. Chance of winning

Explanation: "Game; without" - the semicolon should be a comma because "without their best player" is a dependent clause. This is correct option

Correct answer: Game; without
  • A. Tennis gives you plenty of exercise, it develops quickness of eyes and calls your brain, your thinking power into action.
  • B. Tennis gives you plenti off exercise, it develops quickness of eyes and limb your brain, your thinking power into action.
  • C. Tennis gives you plenti off exercise, it develops quickness of eyes and limb upon your brane, your thinking power over action.
  • D. Tennis gives you plenty of exercise; it develops quickness of eyes and calls your brain, your thinking power into action.

Explanation: Option D is correct because it uses proper punctuation and spelling throughout the sentence.

Correct answer: Tennis gives you plenty of exercise; it develops quickness of eyes and calls your brain, your thinking power into action.
  • A. He said,"Will you have time to play regularly?"
  • B. He said, Will you have time to play regularly?
  • C. He said, "Will you have time to play regularly."
  • D. He said "Will you have time to play regularly'.
  • E. He said, 'Will you have time to play regularly'.

Explanation: Option C is correct. This option is correct. This option is correct as it uses the proper quotation marks and punctuation for a direct…

Correct answer: He said,"Will you have time to play regularly?"
  • A. The doctor said, "the patient is stable".
  • B. The doctor said "The patient is stable."
  • C. The doctor said, "The patient is stable."
  • D. The doctor said: "the patient is stable".

Explanation: A comma introduces the quotation, the first word inside the quotation marks is capitalised, and the full stop sits inside the closing…

Correct answer: The doctor said, "The patient is stable."
  • A. Let's meet at Sarah's house after school.
  • B. Let's meet at Sarahs' house after school.
  • C. Lets meet at Sarah's house after school.
  • D. Let's meet, at Sarah's house after school

Explanation: This option is correct. It includes the contraction "Let's" (short for "Let us") and correctly uses "Sarah's" to show possession.

Correct answer: Let's meet at Sarah's house after school.
  • A. then
  • B. won't
  • C. women

Explanation: "Then (inverted comma should be used when stating a qoute)

Correct answer: then
  • A. yes,
  • B. Jean
  • C. were
  • D. that answer

Explanation: Jean, (name of a person separated with a comma)

Correct answer: Jean
  • A. your sister's
  • B. else
  • C. fails
  • D. at home

Explanation: fails, (comma used to separate two related but independent clauses)

Correct answer: fails
  • A. go,
  • B. me;
  • C. speak;
  • D. me

Explanation: speak, (comma should be used to separate two clauses)

Correct answer: speak;

Punctuation MCQs: common questions

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