Punctuation

Description: Punctuation
Number of Questions: 25
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Tags: Punctuation
Attempted 0/25 Correct 0 Score 0

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

The rich and the poor the high and the low the weak and the strong visit this temple.

  1. The rich and the poor; the high and the low, the weak and the strong visit this temple.

  2. The rich and the poor; the high and the low; the weak and the strong; visit this temple.

  3. The rich and the poor, the high and the low; the weak and the strong, visit this temple.

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

All the three items in the list need to be separated by semi-colons. Commas will not serve the purpose here because each item is again sub-divided into parts. 

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Kent the Switzerland of England is very beautiful.

  1. Kent, the Switzerland of England is very beautiful.

  2. Kent the Switzerland of England, is very beautiful.

  3. Kent, the Switzerland, of England is very beautiful.

  4. Kent, the Switzerland of England, is very beautiful.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

 The adjunct 'the Switzerland of England' needs to be separated by commas on either side. 

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Portia is the heroine of Shakespeares merchant of Venice.

  1. Portia is the heroine of Shakespeares Merchant of Venice.

  2. Portia is the heroine of Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

  3. Portia is the Heroine of Shakespeares merchant of Venice.

  4. Portia is the heroine of Shakespeare’s merchant of Venice.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 'Merchant of Venice' is a proper noun (name of a play). It must begin with a capital letter. Case of possessive is here. So, "Shakespeare's" will be used.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

The king said alas there is no hope to save the town.

  1. The king said, “Alas! There is no hope to save the town.”

  2. The king said, “Alas, there is no hope to save the town.”

  3. The king said, “Alas? There is no hope to save the town.”

  4. The king said, Alas! There is no hope to save the town.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

'Said' here will be followed by comma. The interjection 'Alas' takes an exclamation mark (!). The said statement will be enclosed in quotes.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

The farmer said to the fox you rogue I have caught you at last I will hang you.

  1. The farmer said to the fox, “You rogue! I have caught you at last. I will hang you.”

  2. The farmer said to the fox, “you rogue, I have caught you at last. I will hang you.”

  3. The farmer said to the fox, “You rogue? I have caught you at last. I will hang you?”

  4. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks. 'You rogue' will be followed by an exclamation mark.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

She left this place on Sunday the 11th of March and returned on the 16th of March.

  1. She left this place on Sunday, the 11th of March, and returned on the 16th of March.

  2. She left this place on Sunday, the 11th of March and returned on the 16th of March.

  3. She left this place on Sunday the 11th of March and returned on the 16th of March.

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The adjunct '11th of March' needs to be separated by commas on either side. Even otherwise, day and date are usually separated by a comma. 

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Why are you so sad today she asked Rex.

  1. “Why are you sad today,” she asked Rex.

  2. “Why are you sad today?,” She asked Rex.

  3. “Why are you sad today!” she asked Rex.

  4. “Why are you sad today?" she asked Rex.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

 The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks. The reported speech is a question, so a question mark will follow it.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

What is this strange outcry said Socrates.

  1. “what is this strange outcry,“ said socrates.

  2. “What is this strange outcry!” said Socrates.

  3. “What is this strange outcry?” said Socrates.

  4. “What is this strange outcry? said Socrates.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

 The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks. The reported speech is a question, so a question mark will follow it. Plus, Socrates is the name of a person, so it will start with a capital letter.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Why are you making the water muddy shouted the man.

  1. “Why are you making the water muddy?” shouted the man.

  2. “Why are you making the water muddy,” shouted the man.

  3. “Why are you making the water muddy!” shouted the man.

  4. Why are you making the water muddy? Shouted the man.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks. The reported speech is a question, so a question mark will follow it. The reporting verb need not begin with a capital letter.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

The young girl said if fashions dont change many manufacturers will have to sit idle.

  1. The young girl said, “If fashions dont change many manufacturers will have to sit idle.”

  2. The young girl said, “If fashions don’t change, many manufacturers will have to sit idle.”

  3. The young girl said, “if fashions don’t change, many manufacturers will have to sit idle.”

  4. The young girl said, “If fashions don’t change, many manufacturers will have to sit idle?”


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks and begin with a capital letter. 'Do not' is shortened as "don't".

Directions: The given question carries four options. You have to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

This is for the black snake said garry pouring the milk into the saucer.

  1. “This is for the black snake” said garry, pouring the milk into the saucer.

  2. “This is for the black snake.” said Garry pouring the milk into the saucer.

  3. “This is for the black snake”, said Garry, pouring the milk into the saucer.

  4. “This is for the black snake!” said Garry pouring the milk into the saucer.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks and separated from the reporting verb by a comma. Garry is a name. It must begin with a capital letter. The offering is for the black snake. There is a pause before 'pouring the milk'.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

O that I were the daughter of a rich man cried the poor little girl.

  1. O that I were the daughter of a rich man! cried the poor little girl.

  2. “O! that I were the daughter of a rich man” cried the poor little girl.

  3. “O that I were the daughter of a rich man!” cried the poor little girl.

  4. “O that I were the daughter of a rich man,” cried the poor little girl.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks. The exclamation O will not use exclamation mark in isolation. The mark has to come at the end of the wish. 

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Macs son Jacob met me in dallas and sacramento he was he said there on business.

  1. Mac’s son Jacob met me in Dallas and Sacramento. He was he said there on business.

  2. Mac’s son Jacob met me in Dallas and Sacramento. “He was,” he said, “there on business.”

  3. Mac’s son Jacob met me in Dallas and Sacramento. “He was,” he said, “There on business.”

  4. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Dallas and Sacramento are names of towns, and must begin with capital letters. The reporting verb (he said) separates reporting speech into two parts. Case of possessive. So, "Mac's" will be used.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Will you tell me what you had for lunch said the Captain.

  1. “Will you tell me what you had for lunch?” said the captain.

  2. “Will you tell me what you had for lunch,” said the captain.

  3. “Will you tell me what you had for lunch” said the captain.

  4. “Will you tell me what you had for lunch, said the captain.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks. The reported speech is a question, so a question mark will follow it. 

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Sit down my child I have to speak to you said the lady.

  1. “Sit down, my child, I have to speak to you”, said the lady.

  2. Sit down, my child, I have to speak to you;” said the lady.

  3. “Sit down, my child; I have to speak to you,” said the lady.

  4. “Sit down! My child! I have to speak to you“ said the lady.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The reported speech must be within quote marks and pauses within the reported speech have to be indicated by the use of commas. The reporting verb should be separated from the reported speech by a comma.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

What do you mean asked the man how can a rope be used for binding flour.

  1. “What do you mean?”, asked the man. “How can a rope be used for binding flour?”

  2. “What do you mean?” asked the man, “How can a rope be used for binding flour?”

  3. “What do you mean!” asked the man. “How can a rope be used for binding flour!“

  4. What do you mean?” asked the man. How can a rope be used for binding flour?


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The reporting verb separates two questions. Both have to be put within quote marks; start with a capital letter; and end with question marks. 

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Good morning Mamma have you slept well cried the child gaily embracing her mother.

  1. “Good morning! Mamma! Have you slept well?” cried the child gaily embracing her mother.

  2. “Good morning, Mamma! Have you slept well?” cried the child gaily embracing her mother.

  3. “Good morning, Mamma! Have you slept well?” cried the child, gaily embracing her mother.

  4. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

 There is a greeting and a question. Both are under quotation marks. There is a short pause before 'Mamma' as well as 'gaily embracing'.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

O that my husband were alive said the widow.

  1. “O that my husband were alive!” said the widow.

  2. “O! that my husband were alive”, said the widow.

  3. “O that my husband were alive” said the widow.

  4. O that my husband were alive! said the widow.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks. The exclamation O will not use exclamation mark in isolation. The mark has to come at the end of the wish.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

The teacher said if the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember look at me I shall show you my snuff box to remind you that it is round.

  1. The teacher said, “If the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember, look at me. I shall show you my snuff box to remind you that it is round.”

  2. The teacher said, “If the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember look at me. I shall show you my snuff box, to remind you that it is round.”

  3. Neither (1) nor (2)

  4. Both (1) and (2)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks and is to be separated from the reporting verb by a comma. There is a short pause (comma) before 'look at me'. There is none before 'to remind you'.  

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

What a sweet voice you have said the clever fox to the crow.

  1. “What a sweet voice you have!” said the clever fox to the crow.

  2. “What a sweet voice you have?” said the clever fox to the crow.

  3. “What a sweet voice you have,” said the clever fox to the crow.

  4. What a sweet voice you have! said the clever fox, to the crow.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks. The reported speech is an exclamation, not a question. 

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Harry a shepherd boy won the prize.

  1. Harry a shepherd boy won the prize.

  2. Harry, a shepherd boy won the prize.

  3. Harry a shepherd boy, won the prize.

  4. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

 The adjunct 'a shepherd boy' needs to be separated by commas on either side.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

The monitor said boys the teacher is coming and you should keep quiet.

  1. The monitor said, “Boys the teacher is coming and you should keep quiet.”

  2. The monitor said, “Boys the teacher is coming and you should keep quiet.

  3. The monitor said, “Boys, the teacher is coming and you should keep quiet.”

  4. The monitor said, “Boys! the teacher is coming and you should keep quiet.”


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

 The reporting verb and the reported speech must be separated by a comma. The short pause (comma) will also be needed after the address 'Boys'.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Their names are Tom Dick and Harry.

  1. Their names are: Tom, Dick and Harry.

  2. Their names are, Tom, Dick and Harry.

  3. Their names are: tom, Dick and harry.

  4. Their names are; Tom, Dick, and Harry.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The first two names have to be separated by a comma. The comma use is optional before 'and' and the third name. All the names should begin with capitals. Preferably, there should be a colon before the list of names.

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

If you want to be happy make others happy.

  1. If, you want to be happy, make others happy.

  2. If you want to be happy, make other happy.

  3. If you want to be happy make others happy!

  4. If you want to be happy; make others happy.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 The two parts of the conditional statement should be separated by a short pause (comma).

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

Distinguish between the following pairs of words. meat meet rain rein alter altar hare hear

  1. Distinguish between the following pairs of words meat, meet, rain, rein, alter, alter, hare, hear

  2. Distinguish between the following pairs of words: meat : meet; rain : rein; alter : alter; hare : hear

  3. Distinguish between the following pairs of words: meat, meet – rain, rein – alter, alter – hare, hear

  4. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

'Following....' is preferably followed by a colon. Preferably, the two words in each pair are to be separated by a colon with a space on either side, and the pairs have to be separated from each other by use of intermediate pause, i.e. semi-colon.

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