This quiz works best with JavaScript enabled. Home > English Grammar > Grammar > Punctuation > Commas, Colons, Semi Colons – Quiz 1 🏠 Homepage 📘 Download PDF Books 📕 Premium PDF Books Commas, Colons, Semi Colons Quiz 1 (40 MCQs) Quiz Instructions Select an option to see the correct answer instantly. 1. Which sentence is correct use of a semi-colon? A) It was raining outside I brought; my coat. B) It was raining outside; I brought my coat. C) It was raining; outside brought my coat. D) It was; raining outside I brought my coat. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) It was raining outside; I brought my coat. 2. Use a comma after an *(introductory word, phrase, or clause) A) Closer. B) Connector. C) Separator. D) Opener. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Opener. 3. Choose the correct punctuation:Remember what they say ..... "Curiosity killed the cat" . A) ,. B) No punctuation needed. C) ;. D) :. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) :. 4. When do you use a colon? A) To introduce a list. B) Dialogue. C) To separate the sentence. D) Explanation following an independent clause. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) To introduce a list. 5. Which use of a semicolon is this:The voters liked the following:free healthcare and doctor visits; money for the zoo, hospital, and schools; term limits for politicians. A) Links 2 dependent clauses together. B) Links 2 independent clauses together. C) Seperates a list. D) Introduces dialouge. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Seperates a list. 6. Use a comma to set off a * a phrase that is added after an independent clause (could be a complete sentence) and is preceded by a comma. A) Farther. B) Closer. C) Nearer. D) Further. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Closer. 7. Clause contains a subject and verb but not a complete thought A) Dependent. B) Compound. C) Independent. D) Complex. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Dependent. 8. Use a colon after a stop to introduce* A) A question. B) A conclusion. C) A list. D) An example. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) A list. 9. Use commas to separate items in a * A) Group. B) List. C) Collection. D) Series. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Series. 10. Two causes of a run-on sentence A) Sentence fragment. B) Comma splice. C) Subject-verb agreement error. D) Lack of punctuation. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Lack of punctuation. 11. Choose the correct punctuation:I needed to get so many things from the store ..... milk, cheese, eggs, flour, sugar, dog food ..... A) :. B) No punctuation needed. C) ;. D) ,. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) :. 12. Choose the correct punctuation:I had always wanted to travel to New York City ..... the "City that Never Sleeps" . A) ,. B) No punctuation needed. C) :. D) ;. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) ,. 13. What does a colon look like? A) "". B) :. C) ,. D) ;. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) :. 14. Place the colon.Which would you like fries chips or a salad? A) Which would you like:fries, chips, or a salad?. B) Which would you like fries, chips or:a salad?. C) Which would you like fries:chips, or a salad?. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Which would you like:fries, chips, or a salad?. 15. Choose the correct punctuation:I cannot wait until this weekend ..... I am going to be able to sleep in. A) ;. B) :. C) No punctuation needed. D) ,. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) ;. 16. Use a semicolon to join two * creating a compound sentence A) Independent clauses. B) Dependent clauses. C) Subordinate clauses. D) Coordinating phrases. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) Independent clauses. 17. Which use of a colon is this:The boys will do anything for their dream food:pizza. A) Links 2 independent clauses together. B) Links 2 dependent clauses together. C) Starts a list. D) Emphasizes a topic. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Emphasizes a topic. 18. Use semicolons to separate items in a series that contain * A) Commas. B) Appositives. C) Cities and states or countries. D) Parentheses. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Cities and states or countries. 19. Place the comma(s).I wanted to go to the beach but my parents had other plans. A) I wanted to go to the beach but my parents, had other plans. B) I wanted to go to the beach, but my parents had other plans. C) I wanted to go to the beach but, my parents had other plans. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) I wanted to go to the beach, but my parents had other plans. 20. Choose the correct punctuation:I can't go out tonight ..... I have a huge exam tomorrow. A) No punctuation needed. B) ;. C) :. D) ,. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) ;. 21. A semicolon also should be used to ..... A) Highlight important parts of a sentence. B) Group together items of exactly the same meaning. C) Separate items in a list that already have commas. D) Emphasize differences in a sentence. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Separate items in a list that already have commas. 22. Choose the correct punctuation:The news ..... Altoona would have an early dismissal ..... traveled quickly throughout the hallways. A) ;. B) . C) No punctuation needed. D) :. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) . 23. What does a semicolon look like? A) ,. B) :. C) ;. D) "". Show Answer Correct Answer: C) ;. 24. Choose the correct punctuation:I forgot my pen ..... and paper for the exam. A) ;. B) ,. C) No punctuation needed. D) :. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) No punctuation needed. 25. Use a semicolon and a *to create a compound sentence A) Interjection. B) Conjunction. C) Preposition. D) Transition or interrupter. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Transition or interrupter. 26. Choose the correct punctuation:Her name was so beautiful ..... Violet. A) :. B) No punctuation needed. C) ;. D) ,. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) :. 27. Why is a colon used here:TV Host:Good Evening, welcome to the 10:00 news here in lovely Grand Forks, ND? A) Lists items. B) Links 2 independent clauses together. C) Introduced Dialogue. D) Linke 2 dependent clauses together. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Introduced Dialogue. 28. Choose the correct punctuation:He left the scene of the accident ..... but she saw his face before he left. A) ;. B) No punctuation needed. C) :. D) ,. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) ,. 29. Why is the semicolon used here: "I gave the cats their food; they ate it up immediately." A) Links 2 dependent classes. B) Introduced Dialogue. C) Modifies a list. D) Links 2 independent clauses. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Links 2 independent clauses. 30. Place the semi-colon.Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you're going to get. A) Life is like a box of chocolates you never know; what you're going to get. B) Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what; you're going to get. C) Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get. 31. Use a comma + a coordinating *(one of the FANBOYS) to make a compound sentence A) Article. B) Preposition. C) Conjunction. D) Interjection. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Conjunction. 32. When can you use a semi colon? A) To separate items in an extended list. B) To join two related independent clauses together. C) To move sentences together. D) At the end of a sentence. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) To join two related independent clauses together. 33. A group of words that does not contain its own subject or verbcannot stand on its own A) Fragment. B) Sentence. C) Phrase. D) Clause. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Phrase. 34. Choose the correct punctuation:Oil ..... which is lighter than water ..... rises to the surface. A) ,. B) ;. C) No punctuation needed. D) :. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) ,. 35. Use a comma to set off an * (a nonessential phrase or clause)-a word or phrase that interrupts the flow of a sentence A) Connector. B) Modifier. C) Interrupter. D) Transitional phrase. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) Interrupter. 36. Fill in the blank with the correct punctuation:Shakespeare created many words ..... and we still use a lot of these words today. A) ,. B) ;. C) . D) :. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) ,. 37. Place the dashes.I only fear two things spiders and the SAT. A) I only fear two things spiders and the SAT. B) I only fear two things spiders and the SAT. C) I only fear two things spiders and the SAT. D) None of the above. Show Answer Correct Answer: C) I only fear two things spiders and the SAT. 38. Three elements of a complete sentence A) Verb. B) Adjective. C) Complete thought. D) Subject. Show Answer Correct Answer: B) Adjective. 39. Fill in the blank with the correct punctuation:Shakespeare's works were intended for the stage ..... therefore, they are easier to understand when read aloud or performed. A) ;. B) . C) :. D) -. Show Answer Correct Answer: A) ;. 40. Clause that contains a subject, verb, and a complete thought A) Dependent. B) Subordinate. C) Compound. D) Independent. Show Answer Correct Answer: D) Independent. Related QuizzesGrammar QuizzesEnglish Grammar QuizzesApostrophe Omission And Possession QuizApostrophe Pre Assessment QuizApostrophes For Contractions QuizApostrophes Plural Or Possessive QuizApostrophes With Plural Possessives QuizApostrophes QuizBasic Punctuation Formative QuizCapitalization And Quotation Quiz 🏠 Back to Homepage 📘 Download PDF Books 📕 Premium PDF Books