Punctuation Exercises

1. What is the role of punctuation in writing?

To create confusion
To guide the reader through the text
To add unnecessary pauses
To ignore grammatical rules

2. Which punctuation mark indicates the end of a sentence?

Comma
Period
Semicolon
Colon

3. Which sentence correctly uses a comma?

The sweet, juicy, and ripe mango fell from the tree.
The sweet juicy and ripe mango fell from the tree.
The sweet, juicy and, ripe mango fell from the tree.
The sweet juicy, and ripe mango fell from the tree.

4. Which of the following is NOT a common mistake in using punctuation?

Using too many commas
Using apostrophes correctly
Not using a comma after an introductory clause
Using a colon instead of a semicolon

5. What does a semicolon connect?

Two unrelated clauses
Two closely related independent clauses
Two dependent clauses
A dependent and an independent clause

6. Which sentence correctly uses parentheses?

The robber that blonde guy was caught this Saturday.
The robber (that blonde guy) was caught this Saturday.
The robber, that blonde guy, was caught this Saturday.
The robber - that blonde guy - was caught this Saturday.

7. Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen?

The check in is at 3 PM.
The check-in is at 3 PM.
The checkin is at 3 PM.
The check in is at 3PM.

8. Which sentence correctly uses a dash?

These women - mother and two daughters - are all excellent at sports.
These women -mother and two daughters- are all excellent at sports.
These women - mother and two daughters- are all excellent at sports.
These women- mother and two daughters - are all excellent at sports.

9. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

The sun sets in the west.
The sun, sets in the west.
The sun sets, in the west.
The sun, sets, in the west.

10. Which sentence correctly uses the colon?

There is only one rule: there are no rules.
There is only one rule, there are no rules.
There is only one rule; there are no rules.
There is only one rule- there are no rules.