12th grade English

Example

A: She had one fear – silence. B: She had one fear, silence. C: She had one fear; silence. D: She had one fear silence. Which version best emphasises the final word while staying correct?

1. Colons, dashes, brackets and full stops can all be used deliberately to control pace and emphasis.
2. A single dash creates a pause and throws weight onto the final word.
3. So the answer is: A

Answer: A

Example

Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • Speakers included Dr Lee; a geologist, Ms Ortiz; a novelist, and Mr Haddad; a chef. • Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist, Ms Ortiz, a novelist, and Mr Haddad, a chef. • Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef. • Speakers included: Dr Lee a geologist; Ms Ortiz a novelist; and Mr Haddad a chef.

1. In complex sentences every mark must do its job: commas after openers and around non-essential parts, semicolons between clauses or complex list items, colons after complete clauses, matching pairs of dashes.
2. So the answer is: Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef.

Answer: Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef.