Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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PSAT Writing › Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism; and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism, and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement; Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement; Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism, and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism; and spoke against slavery.
Explanation
A semi-colon separates two independent clauses. No punctuation between "individualism" and "and" is necessary.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism; and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism, and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement; Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement; Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism, and spoke against slavery.
Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism; and spoke against slavery.
Explanation
A semi-colon separates two independent clauses. No punctuation between "individualism" and "and" is necessary.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Because my aunt lives far away; I do not see her very often.
Because my aunt lives far away, I do not see her very often.
Because my aunt lives far away. I do not see her very often.
Although my aunt lives far away; I do not see her very often.
Because my aunt lives farthest away; I do not see her very often.
Because my aunt lives far away; I do not see her very often.
Explanation
The two clauses need to be separated by a comma.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Because my aunt lives far away; I do not see her very often.
Because my aunt lives far away, I do not see her very often.
Because my aunt lives far away. I do not see her very often.
Although my aunt lives far away; I do not see her very often.
Because my aunt lives farthest away; I do not see her very often.
Because my aunt lives far away; I do not see her very often.
Explanation
The two clauses need to be separated by a comma.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I talked to Jenny this morning; who said that it was too cold to go swimming.
morning, who
morning; who
morning: who
morning. Who
morning—who
Explanation
A comma should separate the two clauses of the sentence; the second clause is a dependent clause, and cannot stand alone as its own sentence.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I talked to Jenny this morning; who said that it was too cold to go swimming.
morning, who
morning; who
morning: who
morning. Who
morning—who
Explanation
A comma should separate the two clauses of the sentence; the second clause is a dependent clause, and cannot stand alone as its own sentence.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
That café offers many beverages to choose from; lemonade, soda, coffee, tea, and more.
to choose from: lemonade, soda
to choose from—lemonade, soda
to choose from . . . lemonade, soda
to choose from, lemonade, soda
to choose from; lemonade, soda
Explanation
Here, the colon is the most appropriate punctuation mark to use because it precedes a list of things that do not form an independent clause. The colon is used to introduce such lists.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
That café offers many beverages to choose from; lemonade, soda, coffee, tea, and more.
to choose from: lemonade, soda
to choose from—lemonade, soda
to choose from . . . lemonade, soda
to choose from, lemonade, soda
to choose from; lemonade, soda
Explanation
Here, the colon is the most appropriate punctuation mark to use because it precedes a list of things that do not form an independent clause. The colon is used to introduce such lists.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
"Don't be scared, Anna" he insisted. "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna," he insisted. "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna." he insisted, "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna" he insisted, "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna" he insisted "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna" he insisted. "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
Explanation
"Don't be scared, Anna," he insisted. "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
The choice above is correct. It is the only one that properly connects quotation with the rest of the sentence. In this case, a comma is required to separate the quote; a period is not acceptable because of the lowercase "h" in "he". A period after "insisted" is required to separate the two complete sentences.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
"Don't be scared, Anna" he insisted. "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna," he insisted. "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna." he insisted, "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna" he insisted, "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna" he insisted "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
"Don't be scared, Anna" he insisted. "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
Explanation
"Don't be scared, Anna," he insisted. "The bears can't hurt you from behind that glass."
The choice above is correct. It is the only one that properly connects quotation with the rest of the sentence. In this case, a comma is required to separate the quote; a period is not acceptable because of the lowercase "h" in "he". A period after "insisted" is required to separate the two complete sentences.