Punctuation Rules for English Composition I: Nursing Students

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The nurse took the patient's history; she recorded it in the chart.

Answer

The nurse took the patient's history and she recorded it in the chart.

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?

Accepted Answer

The patient's medications included: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.

Answer

The patient's medications included: ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin.

Question 3

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate a nonessential introductory phrase?

Accepted Answer

After assessing the patient, the nurse developed a care plan.

Answer

After assessing, the patient the nurse developed a care plan.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate a parenthetical expression?

Accepted Answer

The patient, who was in pain, was given a pain medication.

Answer

The patient who was in pain was given a pain medication.

Question 5

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in thought?

Accepted Answer

The patient was discharged from the hospital; he was able to return home.

Answer

The patient was discharged from the hospital and he was able to return home.

Question 6

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate a series of adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The patient was tall, handsome, and intelligent.

Answer

The patient was tall, handsome and intelligent.

Question 7

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to connect two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction "and"?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store and bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store; and I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store but I bought some groceries.

Question 8

In which sentence is a semicolon correctly used to connect two closely related, independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The weather was terrible; we decided to stay home.

Answer

The weather was terrible, we decided to stay home.

Answer

The weather was terrible so we decided to stay home.

Answer

The weather was terrible but we decided to stay home.

Question 9

Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list of items?

Accepted Answer

The following items are needed: pens, pencils, and paper.

Answer

The following items are needed: pens; pencils; and paper.

Answer

The following items are needed, pens, pencils, and paper.

Answer

The following items are needed. Pens, pencils, and paper.

Question 10

Which sentence correctly uses a period to end a declarative statement?

Accepted Answer

I am going to the store.

Answer

I am going to the store?

Answer

I am going to the store

Answer

I am going to the. Store

Question 11

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate items in a series?

Accepted Answer

I need pens, pencils, and paper.

Answer

I need pens pencils and paper.

Answer

I need pens; pencils, and paper.

Answer

I need pens, pencils and, paper.

Question 12

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to connect two closely related, independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The weather was terrible; we stayed home.

Answer

The weather was terrible: we stayed home.

Answer

The weather was terrible, so we stayed home.

Answer

The weather was terrible because we stayed home.

Question 13

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off a nonrestrictive clause?

Accepted Answer

The car, which was red, was parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which was red was parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car, which was red is parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which, was red was parked in the driveway.

Question 14

Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce an appositive?

Accepted Answer

My favorite animal: the dog.

Answer

My favorite animal is: the dog.

Answer

My favorite animal is the dog:

Answer

My favorite animal--the dog.

Question 15

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly, according to the rules of grammar?

Accepted Answer

The cat, who was sleeping in the sun, had a long, fluffy tail.

Answer

The cat who was sleeping in the sun had a long fluffy tail

Answer

The cat, who was sleeping in the sun had, a long, fluffy tail.

Answer

The cat who was sleeping in the sun, had a long fluffy tail.

Question 16

Which of the following sentences uses a colon correctly?

Accepted Answer

The following items are required: a pen, paper, and a calculator.

Answer

The following items are required a pen, paper, and a calculator.

Answer

The following items are required, a pen, paper, and a calculator.

Answer

The following items are required: a pen paper and a calculator.

Question 17

Where should a comma be placed in the following sentence: 'The patient who had a history of heart disease was admitted to the hospital'?

Accepted Answer

After 'heart disease'

Answer

After 'patient'

Answer

After 'was'

Answer

No comma is needed

Question 18

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly, according to the rules of grammar?

Accepted Answer

The nurse administered the medication, and the patient's pain subsided.

Answer

The nurse administered the medication and the patients pain subsided.

Answer

The nurse administered the medication; and the patient's pain subsided.

Answer

The nurse administered the medication and; the patients pain subsided.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a run-on sentence?

Accepted Answer

The following are essential nursing interventions providing patient education and monitoring vital signs.

Answer

The patient had a history of heart disease and diabetes.

Answer

The patient was admitted to the hospital because he had a fever.

Answer

The nurse administered the medication and the patient's pain subsided.

Question 20

Which sentence is punctuated correctly to separate an introductory element?

Accepted Answer

The dog, barking loudly, scared the cat away.

Answer

The dog barking loudly scared the cat away.

Answer

The dog barking, loudly, scared the cat away.

Answer

The dog barking loudly; scared the cat away.

Question 21

Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a list?

Accepted Answer

Bring the following items: a pen, a notebook, and a calculator.

Answer

Bring the following items: a pen; a notebook; and a calculator.

Answer

Bring the following items: a pen a notebook and a calculator.

Answer

Bring the following items a pen, a notebook and a calculator

Question 22

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly to join independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The students studied hard; they passed the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard, they passed the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard they passed the exam

Answer

The students studied hard: they passed the exam.

Question 23

Which sentence uses a period correctly to end a sentence?

Accepted Answer

The movie was excellent. It was funny and heartwarming.

Answer

The movie was excellent it was funny and heartwarming.

Answer

The movie was excellent, it was funny and heartwarming

Answer

The movie was excellent; it was funny and heartwarming.

Question 24

Which sentence uses a comma correctly to separate items in a series?

Accepted Answer

I like apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes

Answer

I like apples, oranges bananas, and grapes.

Answer

I like apples, oranges, bananas and grapes

Answer

I like apples oranges, bananas and grapes.

Question 25

Which sentence uses a comma correctly to separate two independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The weather was cold and rainy, the roads were slick.

Answer

The weather was cold and rainy the roads were slick.

Answer

The weather was cold and rainy; the roads were slick.

Answer

The weather was cold and rainy the roads were slick

Question 26

Which sentence uses a dash correctly to emphasize a statement?

Accepted Answer

The car was fast -- it was a sports car.

Answer

The car was fast it was a sports car.

Answer

The car was fast: it was a sports car.

Answer

The car was fast, it was a sports car.

Question 27

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly to separate two closely related ideas?

Accepted Answer

The students studied hard; they passed the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard they; passed the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard, they; passed the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard; they passed the exams.

Question 28

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The students studied diligently; consequently, they succeeded on the exam.

Answer

The students studied diligently, and they succeeded on the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard, however they failed the exam.

Answer

The students studied diligently therefore they succeeded on the exam.

Question 29

Identify the sentence that is correctly punctuated with a question mark to end an interrogative sentence:

Accepted Answer

What is the capital of France?

Answer

What is the capital of France

Answer

What. Is. The capital. Of. France?

Answer

What is the capital of France.?

Question 30

Which sentence is punctuated correctly with an exclamation mark to end an exclamatory sentence?

Accepted Answer

Wow! That was amazing.

Answer

Wow That was amazing

Answer

Wow; that was amazing!

Answer

Wow! That. Was. Amazing.

Question 31

Select the sentence that correctly uses apostrophes to indicate possession:

Accepted Answer

The cats's toy was broken.

Answer

The cat toy was broken.

Answer

The cats toy was broken.

Answer

The cats toy's was broken.

Question 32

Select the sentence that correctly uses parentheses to enclose additional information:

Accepted Answer

The students (who were very excited) cheered for their team.

Answer

The students who were very excited cheered for their team.

Answer

The students (who were very excited), cheered for their team.

Answer

The students who (were very excited cheered for their team.

Question 33

Which of the following sentences correctly separates two independent clauses joined by 'and' using commas?

Accepted Answer

The sun was shining, and the birds were singing.

Answer

The sun was shining and the birds were singing (Incorrect - missing comma).

Answer

The sun was shining and, the birds were singing (Incorrect - unnecessary comma).

Question 34

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The students studied hard; they wanted to pass the exam.

Answer

The students studied hard, they wanted to pass the exam (Incorrect - missing semicolon).

Answer

The students studied hard they wanted to pass the exam (Incorrect - missing semicolon and comma).

Question 35

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?

Accepted Answer

I need the following items: milk, eggs, and bread.

Answer

I need the following items: milk, eggs, and bread (Incorrect - missing colon).

Answer

I need: milk, eggs, and bread (Incorrect - unnecessary colon).

Question 36

Which sentence correctly uses a period to end a declarative sentence?

Accepted Answer

The weather was beautiful today.

Answer

The weather was beautiful today? (Incorrect - incorrect punctuation).

Answer

The weather was beautiful today! (Incorrect - incorrect punctuation).

Question 37

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a question mark to end an interrogative sentence?

Accepted Answer

Have you finished your homework?

Answer

Have you finished your homework (Incorrect - missing question mark).

Answer

Have you finished your homework? (Incorrect - unnecessary period).

Question 38

Which sentence correctly uses an exclamation mark to express strong emotion?

Accepted Answer

I'm so happy!

Answer

I'm so happy (Incorrect - missing exclamation mark).

Answer

I'm so happy. (Incorrect - incorrect punctuation).

Question 39

Which of the following sentences correctly uses quotation marks to enclose a quote?

Accepted Answer

She said, 'I love you.'

Answer

She said I love you (Incorrect - missing quotation marks).

Answer

She said: I love you (Incorrect - unnecessary colon).

Question 40

Which sentence correctly uses parentheses to provide additional information?

Accepted Answer

The students (who were all very excited) arrived at the field trip.

Answer

The students who were all very excited, arrived at the field trip (Incorrect - unnecessary comma).

Answer

The students who were all very excited arrived at the field trip (Incorrect - missing parentheses).

Question 41

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a dash to indicate a sudden break in thought?

Accepted Answer

I was so excited -- I couldn't wait to tell her the news.

Answer

I was so excited - I couldn't wait to tell her the news (Incorrect - incorrect punctuation).

Answer

I was so excited I couldn't wait to tell her the news (Incorrect - missing dash).

Question 42

Which sentence correctly uses brackets to provide supplementary information?

Accepted Answer

The students [Sarah, John, and Mary] presented their projects.

Answer

The students Sarah, John, and Mary presented their projects (Incorrect - missing brackets).

Answer

The students (Sarah, John, and Mary), presented their projects (Incorrect - unnecessary commas).

Question 43

Which sentence uses a period to correctly separate two complete thoughts?

Accepted Answer

The cat chased the mouse. It ran under the bed.

Answer

The cat chased the mouse; it ran under the bed.

Answer

The cat, chased the mouse it, ran under the bed.

Answer

The cat chased the mouse it ran under the bed.

Question 44

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to separate items in a series?

Accepted Answer

The nurse administered the following medications: morphine, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.

Answer

The nurse administered the following medications: morphine, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Answer

The nurse administered the following medications, morphine, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.

Question 45

Where should a period be placed in the following sentence? The patient was discharged from the hospital they are now recovering at home

Accepted Answer

The patient was discharged from the hospital. They are now recovering at home.

Answer

The patient was discharged from the hospital; they are now recovering at home.

Answer

The patient was discharged from the hospital: they are now recovering at home.

Question 46

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?

Accepted Answer

The nurse performed the following tasks: assessed the patient's vital signs, administered medication, and changed the dressing.

Answer

The nurse performed the following tasks: assessed the patient's vital signs administered medication and changed the dressing.

Question 47

Where should a semicolon be placed in the following sentence? The patient has a history of heart disease they are also at risk for stroke

Accepted Answer

The patient has a history of heart disease; they are also at risk for stroke.

Answer

The patient has a history of heart disease, they are also at risk for stroke.

Answer

The patient has a history of heart disease: they are also at risk for stroke.

Question 48

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The patient had a fever and chills; they also had a cough.

Answer

The patient had a fever and chills, they also had a cough.

Answer

The patient had a fever and chills: they also had a cough.

Question 49

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?

Accepted Answer

The following items are required: paper, pens, and pencils.

Answer

The following items are required paper, pens and pencils.

Answer

The following items are required: paper pens and pencils.

Question 50

Where should a semicolon be placed in the following sentence? The patient had a fever the patient also had a cough

Accepted Answer

The patient had a fever; the patient also had a cough.

Answer

The patient had a fever, the patient also had a cough.

Answer

The patient had a fever: the patient also had a cough.