This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Punctuation – Set 3”.
1. Select the option which punctuates the below sentence correctly.
I found your jacket in the boys hostel.
a) I found your jacket in the boys’ hostel.
b) I found your jacket in the boys hostel.
c) I found your Jacket in the boy’s hostel.
d) I found your jacket in the boy’s hostel.
View Answer
Explanation: For the word ‘boys’ hostel’, the apostrophe should be used after the word as it is in plural form. Thus, the required answer is ‘I found your jacket in the boys’ hostel’.
2. For separating a series of loosely related clauses, which of the following should be used?
a) Semicolon
b) Hyphen
c) Comma
d) Colon
View Answer
Explanation: Semicolon should be used in such circumstances. The other situations where it should be used are to separate the clauses of compound sentence and to indicate a greater pause than that given by a comma.
3. Select the option which punctuates the below sentence correctly.
wow you are a gold medalist.
a) Wow, you are a gold medalist.
b) Wow; you are a gold medalist.
c) Wow! You are a gold medalist.
d) Wow! you are a gold medalist!
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Wow’ is an exclamatory word and should be followed by an exclamation mark. The first letter of the word following the exclamation mark should be capitalized.
4. Select the sentence in which the punctuation is correct.
a) The candidate was popular among the people, he won the election mandate.
b) There was only one way to reach the airport on time: he had to take the bike.
c) Can we leave now!
d) Maybe the tuition ends at 4 p.m.?
View Answer
Explanation: The phrases ‘The candidate was popular among the people’ and ‘he won the election mandate’ should be connected by a semicolon. The sentence ‘Can we leave now’ should end with a question mark. The sentence ‘Maybe the tuition ends at 4 p.m.’ should not end with a question mark.
5. Identify the sentence with the wrong punctuation.
a) I wonder how fast he is.
b) Joseph studied very hard: he passed the test easily.
c) Do you want another slice?
d) Hey everyone, look at Rahul!
View Answer
Explanation: The two sentences are closely related independent clauses. Thus, a semicolon should be used for joining them.
6. Choose the option which punctuates the below sentence in the correct manner.
they offered the children cakes chocolates and school bags for republic day.
a) They offered the children; cakes, chocolates and school bags for Republic day.
b) They offered the children cakes, chocolates and school bags for republic day.
c) They offered the children, cakes, chocolates, and school bags for republic day.
d) They offered the children cakes, chocolates and school bags for Republic Day.
View Answer
Explanation: The different items should be separated by commas. Also the names of special days and events should be capitalized.
7. The below sentence has no errors in punctuation.
What a fantastic match it turned out to be!
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The sentence expresses sudden emotion and thus would require an exclamation mark and not a question mark.
8. Identify the option which punctuates the below sentence correctly.
the students were told to bring the following items drawing scale HB pencil and drafter.
a) The students were told to bring the following items : drawing scale, HB pencil and drafter.
b) The students were told to bring the following items – drawing scale, HB pencil and drafter.
c) The student’s were told to bring the following items, drawing scale, HB pencil and drafter.
d) The students were told to bring the following items; drawing scale, HB pencil and drafter.
View Answer
Explanation: The list of items that has to be brought by the students are mentioned in the sentence. Hence, a colon should be used here to introduce the list.
9. Identify the sentence with the correct punctuation.
a) I feel bad today!
b) I love bikes;
c) Our coach used to say : “It is not over until its over”.
d) Was the movie funny.
View Answer
Explanation: Both the sentences ‘I feel bad today’ and ‘I love bikes’ should end with a period. The sentence, ‘Was the movie funny’ should terminate with a question mark.
10. Which punctuation should be used to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence?
a) period
b) semicolon
c) colon
d) comma
View Answer
Explanation: “Take your bag and run”, said Victor. Here the comma separates the direct quotation from the rest of the sentence.
11. Among the options, select the one that punctuates the below sentence correctly.
karna the brave fought till the end.
a) Karna the brave fought till the end.
b) Karna, the brave, fought till the end.
c) Karna the brave, fought till the end.
d) Karna, the brave fought till the end.
View Answer
Explanation: Commas must be inserted in the sentence after the noun ‘Karna’ and after the adjectival phrase ‘the brave’.
12. The below sentence has no errors in punctuation.
The red sea lies between Africa and Asia.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The name of the sea is a Proper noun and thus, it should be capitalized. The correct form of the sentence is ‘The Red Sea lies between Africa and Asia’.
13. Which of the following sentences is wrong in terms of its punctuation?
a) He interviewed the following people : Principal, HOD, staffs and the student representative.
b) Where are you going?
c) Hi how are you doing?
d) Karthik asked if we are going to play today.
View Answer
Explanation: A comma should follow the word ‘Hi’ to separate the two clauses. ‘Hi, how are you doing?’ is the correct form of punctuation for the sentence.
14. The sentence ‘Yay! I’m finished with the record’ should end with which of the following punctuation?
a) parentheses
b) period
c) exclamation
d) question mark
View Answer
Explanation: The sentence is of exclamatory nature and also has the exclamatory word ‘Yay’. Thus, it should terminate with an exclamation mark.
15. Which of the following options has the correct punctuation for the below sentence?
tom lives in canada his family is in india.a) Tom lives in Canada: his family is in India.
b) Tom lives in canada, his family is in India.
c) Tom lives in Canada; his family is in India.
d) Tom lives in Canada – his family is in India.
View Answer
Explanation: The two clauses of the sentence should be joined by a semicolon. Also the first letters of the names ‘Canada’ and ‘India’ should be capitalized.
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