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 13 of 16
241. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Chips' novels provides a wonderful insight into Victorian England.
- B. Chip's novel provides a wonderful insight into Victorian England.
- C. Chips's novel provides a wonderful insight into Victorian England.
- D. Chips' novel provides a wonderful insight into Victorian England.
Explanation: - The possessive form "Chips's" is correct because it shows that the novel belongs to Chips.- The singular form "novel" is correct because…
Correct answer: Chips's novel provides a wonderful insight into Victorian England.242. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. The house was unoccupied: at the time of the break in.
- B. The house was unoccupied, at the time of the break-in.
- C. The house was unoccupied at the time of the break in.
- D. The house was unoccupied at the time of the break-in.
Explanation: - The phrase "at the time of the break-in" is a prepositional phrase that provides additional information about when the house was…
Correct answer: The house was unoccupied at the time of the break-in.243. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. He created an up-to-date account on Twitter.
- B. He created an up-to date account on Twitter.
- C. He created an up to-date account on Twitter.
- D. He created an up to date account on Twitter..
Explanation: - "Up-to-date" is a compound adjective that modifies the noun "account".
Correct answer: He created an up-to-date account on Twitter.244. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Knowing her own strengths and working hard made her a success in school.
- B. Knowing her own strengths and working hard ,made her a success in school.
- C. Knowing her own strengths and working hard made her,a success, in school.
- D. Knowing her own strengths and working, hard ,made her a success in school.
Explanation: - The sentence is a clear and concise statement that attributes her success to two factors: knowing her strengths and working hard.- There…
Correct answer: Knowing her own strengths and working hard made her a success in school.245. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Right now I want two things peace and quietness.
- B. Right now I want two things; peace and quietness.
- C. Right now I want two things... peace and quietness.
- D. Right now I want two things: peace and quietness.
Explanation: - The sentence is structured as a complex sentence with an independent clause ("Right now I want two things") and a dependent clause (the…
Correct answer: Right now I want two things: peace and quietness.246. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Our philosophy teacher thinks that Einstein believed: that we cannot stop war by waging war.
- B. Our philosophy teacher thinks that Einstein believed that, we cannot stop war by waging war.
- C. Our philosophy teacher thinks that Einstein believed that we cannot stop war by waging war.
- D. Our philosophy teacher thinks that Einstein believed, that we cannot stop war by waging war.
Explanation: - The sentence is structured as a complex sentence with an independent clause ("Our philosophy teacher thinks") and a dependent clause…
Correct answer: Our philosophy teacher thinks that Einstein believed that we cannot stop war by waging war.247. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. A state-of-the-art printer is not that expensive.
- B. A state of the art printer is not that expensive.
- C. A state-of the art printer is not that expensive.
- D. A state-of-the art printer is not that expensive.
Explanation: - The compound adjective "state-of-the-art" is correctly hyphenated, indicating that the printer is modern and cutting-edge.- The…
Correct answer: A state-of-the-art printer is not that expensive.248. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. A liberally sprinkled dose of humor was very much appreciated.
- B. A liberally-sprinkled dose of humor was very much appreciated.
- C. A liberally-sprinkled-dose of humor was very much appreciated.
- D. A liberally sprinkled dose-of-humor was very much appreciated.
Explanation: A liberally sprinkled dose of humor was very much appreciated.Here's why:- "Liberally" is an adverb modifying the verb "sprinkled"…
Correct answer: A liberally sprinkled dose of humor was very much appreciated.249. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Our liberal minded clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation.
- B. Our liberal-minded clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation.
- C. Our liberal-minded-clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation.
- D. Our-liberal-minded clergyman managed to u
Explanation: - The compound adjective "liberal-minded" is correctly hyphenated, indicating that the clergyman holds progressive or open-minded views.-…
Correct answer: Our liberal-minded clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation.250. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Our clergyman, who united the entire aspite the entire congregation.congregation, was liberal minded.
- B. Our clergyman who united the entire congregation was liberal minded.
- C. Our clergyman, who united the entire congregation, was liberal minded.
- D. Our clergyman, who united the entire congregation, was liberal-minded.
Explanation: - The phrase "who united the entire congregation" is a non-essential clause, providing additional information about the clergyman.
Correct answer: Our clergyman, who united the entire congregation, was liberal-minded.251. In each of the following question, four alternative sentences are given. Choose the correct one.
- A. Jan asked; "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see you later.""
- B. Jan asked, "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see you later?" "
- C. Jan asked, "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see you later"?"
- D. Jan asked, "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see you later' "?
Explanation: Jan asked, "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see you later'?"Here's why:C) Jan asked, "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see…
Correct answer: Jan asked, "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see you later"?"- A. I'm afraid the meat isnt suitable for vegetarians.
- B. I'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: This sentence is correct. "I'm" is the proper contraction of "I am," and "isn't" is the proper contraction of "is not." Both contractions…
Correct answer: I'm afraid the meat isn't suitable for vegetarians- A. Was going
- B. Today
- C. However
- D. Me to
Explanation: The word "today" is the most important part of the sentence because it specifies the planned time of the run, which is crucial to…
Correct answer: Today- A. Has never been
- B. Person
- C. By jumping
- D. Singing
Explanation: The word "person" is the most important part of the sentence because it specifies the characteristic being described, which is Nathan's…
Correct answer: Person- A. Desserts
- B. Choose
- C. From;
- D. Sorbet
Explanation: The word "from;" is the most important part of the sentence because it indicates the source of the options, and the semicolon (;) is…
Correct answer: From;- A. The elections will be held on: the first Tuesday of November, 2018.
- B. The elections will be held, on the first Tuesday of November 2018.
- C. The elections will be held on the first Tuesday, of November 2018.
- D. The elections will be held on the first Tuesday of November 2018.
Explanation: The elections will be held on the first Tuesday of November 2018 - This sentence is an example of a simple sentence with a prepositional…
Correct answer: The elections will be held on the first Tuesday of November 2018.- A. "The elections will be held on Tuesday November 6, 2018, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m."
- B. "The elections will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m."
- C. "The elections will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m." This option incorrectly omits the comma before "and" which disrupts the sentence structure. Commas are needed to separate clauses in a compound sentence.
- D. "The elections will be held on: Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m."
Explanation: This option correctly formats the date with commas around "November 6, 2018" to set it off as a non-essential element.
Correct answer: "The elections will be held on Tuesday November 6, 2018, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m."- A. It is good that a caring dedicated teacher like Mr. Fuentes, should be appreciated by students who are usually bored and too busy.
- B. It is good that a caring, dedicated teacher like Mr. Fuentes should be appreciated by students who are usually, bored and too busy.
- C. It is good that a caring dedicated teacher like Mr. Fuentes should be appreciated by students who are usually bored and too busy.
- D. It is good that a caring, dedicated teacher like Mr. Fuentes should be appreciated by students who are usually bored and too busy.
Explanation: It is good that a caring, dedicated teacher like Mr. Fuentes should be appreciated by students who are usually bored and too busy - This…
Correct answer: It is good that a caring, dedicated teacher like Mr. Fuentes should be appreciated by students who are usually bored and too busy.- A. "Knowing her own strengths and working hard made her a success in school." This option correctly joins the two related actions ("knowing her own strengths" and "working hard") without unnecessary punctuation. This is correct option
- B. "Knowing her own strengths and working hard, made her a success in school."
- C. "Knowing her own strengths and working hard made her, a success, in school."
- D. "Knowing her own strengths, and working hard made her a success in school."
Explanation: This option correctly joins the two related actions "knowing her own strengths" and "working hard" without unnecessary punctuation.
Correct answer: "Knowing her own strengths and working hard made her a success in school." This option correctly joins the two related actions ("knowing her own strengths" and "working hard") without unnecessary punctuation. This is correct option- A. I need to locate four states on the map: Minnesota, Michigan, California, and Nevada.
- B. I need to locate four states on the map. Minnesota; Michigan; California; and Nevada.
- C. I need to locate four states on the map Minnesota, Michigan, California, and Nevada.
- D. I need to locate four states on the map; Minnesota, Michigan, California, and Nevada.
Explanation: I need to locate four states on the map: Minnesota, Michigan, California, and Nevada - This sentence is an example of a sentence with a…
Correct answer: I need to locate four states on the map: Minnesota, Michigan, California, and Nevada.