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.
Last updated
308 questions · page 12 of 16
- A. Visiting
- B. Bad tempered
- C. Angry
- D. Upset
Explanation: The sentence "Whenever Billy comes visiting, she becomes bad tempered and angry, leaving Sarah bewildered and Annie even more upset"…
Correct answer: Bad tempered- A. Friend
- B. However
- C. Afford
- D. More money
Explanation: The sentence "You are my friend, however, I cannot afford to lend you any more money" is a compound sentence, containing two independent…
Correct answer: Friend- A. Sang
- B. I
- C. Rock
- D. Island
Explanation: The sentence is a reported speech, and the quotation marks are used to set off the spoken words.
Correct answer: I- A. Ella
- B. Did
- C. Ask for
- D. Back
Explanation: The sentence is a reported speech, and the question mark should be placed inside the quotation marks, followed by a comma after "back" to…
Correct answer: Back225. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Spain is a beautiful country; the beache's are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.
- B. Spain is a beautiful country: the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.
- C. Spain is a beautiful country, the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.
- D. Spain is a beautiful country; the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.
Explanation: - The semicolon (;) correctly separates the two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning.- The word "beaches" is correctly…
Correct answer: Spain is a beautiful country; the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.226. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. The children's books were all left in the following places: Aslam's room, Anwar's office and Rashid's cupboard.
- B. The children's books were all left in the following places; Aslam's room, Anwar's office and Rashid 's cupboard.
- C. The childrens books were all left in the following places: Aslams room, Anwars office and Rashids cupboard.
- D. The children's books were all left in the following places, Aslam's room, Anwar's office and Rashid 's cupboard.
Explanation: - The colon (:) correctly introduces the list of places where the books were left.- The possessive form "children's" is correct because it…
Correct answer: The children's books were all left in the following places: Aslam's room, Anwar's office and Rashid's cupboard.227. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. She always enjoyed sweets, chocolate, ice cream and toffee apples.
- B. She always enjoyed: sweets, chocolate, ice cream and toffee apples.
- C. She always enjoyed sweets chocolate ice cream and toffee apples.
- D. She always enjoyed sweet's, chocolate, ice cream's and toffee apple's.
Explanation: - The comma-separated list correctly enumerates the items she enjoyed.- No colon (:) is needed because the list is a natural continuation…
Correct answer: She always enjoyed sweets, chocolate, ice cream and toffee apples.228. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Saira's uncle's car was found without its wheels in that old derelict warehouse.
- B. Saira's uncle's car was found without its wheels in that old, derelict warehouse.
- C. Sairas uncles car was found without its wheels in that old, derelict warehouse.
- D. Saira's uncle's car was found without it's wheels in that old, derelict warehouse.
Explanation: - The possessive forms "Saira's" and "uncle's" are correct because they show that the car belongs to Saira's uncle.- The comma after "old"…
Correct answer: Saira's uncle's car was found without its wheels in that old, derelict warehouse.229. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Ammar's neighbours were terrible; so his brother's friends went round to have a word.
- B. Ammar's neighbours were terrible: so his brother's friends went round to have a word.
- C. Ammar's neighbours were terrible, so his brother's friends went round to have a word.
- D. Ammar's neighbours were terrible so his brother's friends went round to have a word.
Explanation: - The comma (,) correctly separates the two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning.- The conjunction "so" correctly…
Correct answer: Ammar's neighbours were terrible, so his brother's friends went round to have a word.230. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Amjads granny, an excellent woman, always bought him chocolate, cakes, sweets and a nice fresh apple.
- B. Amjad's granny an excellent woman always bought him chocolate, cakes, sweetsand a nice fresh apple.
- C. Amjad's granny, an excellent woman, always bought him chocolate cakes sweetsand a nice fresh apple.
- D. Amjad's granny, an excellent woman, always bought him chocolate, cakes, sweetsand a nice fresh apple.
Explanation: - The possessive form "Amjad's" is correct because it shows that the granny belongs to Amjad.- The commas correctly separate the…
Correct answer: Amjad's granny, an excellent woman, always bought him chocolate, cakes, sweetsand a nice fresh apple.231. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. After stealing Shahid car, the thief lost his way and ended up the chief constable's garage.
- B. After stealing Shahid's car the thief lost his way and ended up the chief constable's garage.
- C. After stealing Shahid's car, the thief lost his way and ended up the chief constable's garage.
- D. After stealing Shahid's car, the thief lost his' way and ended up the chief constable's garage
Explanation: : I corrected the sentence by adding "in" before "the chief constable's garage" to make it grammatically correct.Here's why:- The…
Correct answer: After stealing Shahid's car, the thief lost his way and ended up the chief constable's garage.232. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. We decided to visit: Spain, Gree Spirants
- B. We decided to visit Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italys mountains.
- C. We decided to visit Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy's mountains.
- D. We decided to visit Spain Greece Portugal and Italy's mountains.
Explanation: - The countries "Spain", "Greece", and "Portugal" are correctly listed without commas before "and".- The possessive form "Italy's" is…
Correct answer: We decided to visit Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy's mountains.233. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. That tall man, Munawar's grandson, is this month's winner.
- B. That tall man Munawar's grandson is this month's winner.
- C. That tall man, Munawar's grandson, is this months winner.
- D. That tall man, Munawars grandson, is this month's winner.
Explanation: - The commas correctly separate the nonessential clause "Munawar's grandson" from the rest of the sentence.- The possessive form…
Correct answer: That tall man, Munawar's grandson, is this month's winner.234. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. We have a motto: live life to the full.
- B. We have a motto, live life to the full.
- C. We have a motto; live life to the full.
- D. We have a motto - live life to the full.
Explanation: - The colon (:) is the correct punctuation mark to use when introducing a motto, slogan, or quote that elaborates on the preceding…
Correct answer: We have a motto: live life to the full.235. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. I'm afraid the meat isnt suitable for vegetarians.
- B. l'am afraid the meat isn't suitable for vegetarians.
- C. I'm afraid the meat is'nt suitable for vegetarians.
- D. I'm afraid the meat isn't suitable for vegetarians.
Explanation: - The correct spelling of the contraction for "is not" is "isn't".- The sentence is structured correctly and clearly conveys the idea that…
Correct answer: I'm afraid the meat isn't suitable for vegetarians.236. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. The headline read; 'Local Woman Saves Geese'.
- B. The headline read, 'Local Woman Saves Geese'.
- C. The headline read: 'Local Woman Saves Geese'.
- D. The headline read: "Local Woman Saves Geese.
Explanation: - The colon (:) is the correct punctuation mark to use when introducing a quotation, such as a headline, that elaborates on the preceding…
Correct answer: The headline read: 'Local Woman Saves Geese'.237. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. 'Yes,' he said 'and I always keep my promises.
- B. 'Yes,' he said, and I always keep my promises.
- C. 'Yes' he said! and I always keep my promises.
- D. 'Yes,' he said. 'and I always keep my promises."
Explanation: - The comma (,) after "said" is correct because it separates the dialogue tag ("he said") from the rest of the sentence.- The lack of a…
Correct answer: 'Yes,' he said, and I always keep my promises.238. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Headmaster - Mr. welldon, however, took a broadminded view of my Latin prose.
- B. Headmaster - Mr. welldon however, took a broadminded view of my Latin prose.
- C. Headmaster, Mr. welldon, however took a broadminded view of my Latin prose.
- D. Headmaster, Mr. welldon, however, took a broadminded view of my Latin prose.
Explanation: - The comma after "Headmaster" correctly separates the title from the name.- The comma after "Mr.
Correct answer: Headmaster, Mr. welldon, however, took a broadminded view of my Latin prose.239. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. The mansion was converted into a girls' school.
- B. The mansion was converted into a girls's school.
- C. The mansion was converted into a girls school.
- D. The mansion was converted, into a girls' school.
Explanation: - In this context, "girls school" is a compound noun, where "girls" is an adjective modifying the noun "school".
Correct answer: The mansion was converted into a girls school.240. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. He joined Charles' army in 1642.
- B. He joins Charles's army in 1642.
- C. He joined Charles army in 1642.
- D. He joined Charle's army in 1642.
Explanation: - The possessive form "Charles'" is correct because it shows that the army belongs to Charles.- The verb "joined" is in the correct tense…
Correct answer: He joined Charles' army in 1642.