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 8 of 16
- A. Over the rocky levels
- B. Of the mountain
- C. Rust coloured
- D. Air
Explanation: This is the problematic part. When used as a compound adjective to describe "air," it should be hyphenated as "rust-colored." This ensures…
Correct answer: Rust coloured- A. Having
- B. Lunch
- C. Went
- D. Back to work
Explanation: This phrase is correctly used as part of the main clause, indicating where the action "went" occurs.
Correct answer: Back to work- A. It's
- B. Joke
- C. As they went
- D. Into
Explanation: Correct Answer:The correct answer involves the punctuation and capitalization error outside the options provided.Explanation and…
Correct answer: Into- A. And,Jess
- B. Bragged
- C. Regardless
- D. Ten
Explanation: The correct answer is B) Bragged.Corrected Sentence: "And, Jess," he bragged, "regardless of my threescore years and ten, I ploughed…
Correct answer: Bragged145. "Do you need somebody to go to the store." asked the boy, "may be to get some milk or something."
- A. Do you need
- B. Store
- C. Boy,may
- D. Something
Explanation: The word "store" itself is correct, but the punctuation following it is incorrect.
Correct answer: Store- A. Days
- B. Jess
- C. That's
- D. Mountain
Explanation: This contraction for "that is" is correctly used. There is no error with "That's."Correct Answer:The correct answer is C) That's because…
Correct answer: That's- A. Mary
- B. Children
- C. Part time
- D. In the library
Explanation: This is the problematic part. When "part time" is used as an adjective to describe "job," it should be hyphenated as "part-time." The…
Correct answer: Part time- A. The package
- B. Lying
- C. Door- a cube
- D. With tape
Explanation: The issue here is not with "door- a cube" per se, but with the punctuation (an en dash) and the compound adjective that follows.
Correct answer: Door- a cube- A. The fact remains
- B. Is not simply
- C. Persons
- D. Power
Explanation: This noun is correctly used and appropriately capitalized within the quotation marks.
Correct answer: Power- 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. 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: This sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a quotation or a statement that explains or illustrates the preceding clause.
Correct answer: We have a motto: live life to the full.- 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 isnt 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 isnt suitable for vegetarians- A. The headline read; 'Local Women Saves Geese'.
- B. The headline read, 'Local Women Saves Geese'.
- C. The headline read: 'Local Women Saves Geese
- D. The headline read: "Local Women Saves Geese'
Explanation: This sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce the quotation, which is a common and appropriate use of the colon.
Correct answer: The headline read: 'Local Women Saves Geese- 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: This sentence is incorrect because, while it correctly places a period after "he said," it does not capitalize "and." Since "and I always…
Correct answer: 'Yes.' he said. 'and I always keep my promises.'- 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: This option is correct. "State-of-the-art" is a compound adjective that should be hyphenated when it precedes the noun "printer." The…
Correct answer: A state-of-the-art printer is not that expensive- 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: This option is correct. It correctly uses hyphens to join "liberally" and "sprinkled" as a compound adjective modifying "dose of humor."…
Correct answer: A liberally-sprinkled dose of humor was very much appreciated- 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 unite the entire congregation.
Explanation: This option is correct. "Liberal-minded" is correctly hyphenated as a compound adjective before the noun "clergyman." Hyphenation helps…
Correct answer: Our liberal-minded clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation.- A. When I noticed that our dog cut it's paw, I called the veterinarian right away.
- B. When I noticed that our dog cut it's paw. I called the veterinarian right away.
- C. When I noticed that our dog cut its paw, I called the veterinarian right away.
- D. When I noticed that our dog cut its paw; I called the veterinarian right away.
Explanation: This option is correct. It uses the correct possessive form "its" and properly uses a comma to separate the dependent clause "When I…
Correct answer: When I noticed that our dog cut its paw, I called the veterinarian right away.- A. Just to be sure, I called three more doctors' offices.
- B. Just to be sure, I called three more doctors offices.
- C. Just to be sure, I called three more doctor's' offices.
- D. Just to be sure, I called three more doctor offices.
Explanation: This option is correct. It uses a comma correctly after the introductory phrase "Just to be sure." Additionally, "doctors' offices" is the…
Correct answer: Just to be sure, I called three more doctors' offices.- A. The friendly looking vet examined our dogs paw.
- B. The friendly-looking vet examined our dogs paw.
- C. The friendly-looking vet examined our dog's paw.
- D. The friendly looking vet examined our dog's paw.
Explanation: This option is correct. "Friendly-looking" is correctly hyphenated as a compound adjective, and "dog's paw" correctly uses the possessive…
Correct answer: The friendly-looking vet examined our dog's paw.