Punctuation

Punctuation Exercise 2 Answer Key 1. A 2. C 3. A

4. C

5. A

6. A 7. B 8. A 9. B 10. C

Write the letter of the correct answer in the blank

________ 1. Coach Espinoza who took her team to the Final Four last year might take a job with

Notre Dame.

A) Espinoza who took her team to the Final Four last year, might B) Espinoza, who took her team to the Final Four last year might C) Espinoza, who took her team to the Final Four last year, might D) no punctuation needed ________ 2. The University of Connecticut women's basketball program is among the nation's best

however they play in one of the weaker conferences. A) best; however, they B) best, however, they C) best, however; they D) no punctuation needed ________ 3. Phuong wasn't worried at all about the exam because she had prepared so well over

the break.

A) exam because, she B) exam because, she C) exam, because she D) no punctuation needed ________ 4. After University of Connecticut won the national championship in 1995 the coach

found recruiting much easier. A) in 1995, the coach B) no punctuation needed ________ 5. The best production facilities are in Atlanta Georgia Boston Massachusetts and

Phoenix Arizona.

A) in Atlanta, Georgia, Boston, Massachusetts, and Phoenix, Arizona.

B) in Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; and Phoenix, Arizona. C) in Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts and; Phoenix, Arizona. D) no punctuation needed

________ 6. Raoul earned three A's last semester but his one downfall was Advanced Algebra.

A) semester but, his B) semester, but, his C) semester, but his D) no punctuation needed ________ 7. He told his customers what they wanted to hear that he would stand behind his

product.

A) what they wanted to hear, that he B) no punctuation needed

C) what they wanted to hear: that he what they wanted to hear; that he ________ 8. His favorite television programs are Homicide NYPD Blue ER and Chicago Hope.

A) are Homicide, NYPD Blue, ER, and Chicago Hope B) are: Homicide NYPD Blue ER and Chicago Hope C) are; Homicide NYPD Blue ER and Chicago Hope D) no punctuation needed ________ 9. \

A) Home\ B) Home\ C) Home,\

D) no punctuation needed ________ 10. Community colleges which didn't exist prior to the 1950s have proved very popular in

the U.S.

A) colleges, which didn't exist, prior to the 1950s have B) colleges which didn't exist prior to the 1950s, have C) colleges, which didn't exist prior to the 1950s, have D) no punctuation needed ________ 11. The Computer Services Department spent most of its money on upgrading old

computers and installing new machines in the Learning Assistance Center. A) computers, and installing B) computers, and, installing C) computers and, installing D) no punctuation needed

Answers for Punctuation Exercise 3 1 C

The modifying clause (who took her team to the Final Four this year) is a parenthetical element. It can be removed without changing the essential meaning of the sentence. Such parenthetical elements should be set off by commas. To see if part of a sentence is

parenthetical, try removing it. If the sentence still makes sense you should probably put commas around that element. 2 A

We can use a semicolon here (along with the transitional expression) to separate the two independent clauses. A typical pattern is semicolon + transitional expression + comma. 3 D

The adverb clause comes after the independent clause in this sentence, and it is necessary to the essential meaning of the sentence (it is not a parenthetical element). Had this adverb clause come first in the sentence, we could have put a comma after it. 4 A

The first part of the sentence (ending with 1995) is an adverb clause. When an adverb clause begins a sentence, it should be separated from the independent clause by a comma. 5 B

Use a semicolon to separate the elements of a \themselves contain commas. 6 C

We use a comma plus a little conjunction -- in that order -- (and, but, for, nor, yet, so) to connect two independent clauses. 7 C

When the sentence comes to a complete halt (after what could be an independent clause) and an explanation or list will follow, use a colon. 8 A

This sentence doesn't come to a complete halt before the list, so it is not appropriate to use a colon here. However, we do need those commas to separate the elements of our list. 9 C

In the United States, periods and commas go inside quotation marks. And we need a comma here to set apart a parenthetical element. (\the sentence without changing the essential meaning of the sentence.) 10 C

The modifying clause (which didn't exist prior to the 1950s) is a parenthetical element. It can be removed without changing the essential meaning of the sentence. Such parenthetical elements should be set off by commas. To see if part of a sentence is parenthical, try

removing it. If the sentence still makes sense you should probably put commas around that element. 11 D

A little conjunction can connect two things by itself; no comma is necessary. Two things do not constitute a list.

1. Carlos ran and ran but there was no way he could keep up with his brother Miguel. 2. Tom the owner of Skip's Septic Service said he would be here tomorrow however there's

always a chance he won't be able to come especially if it rains.