Punctuating complex sentences accurately

Question 1

Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • The expedition needed: three things, funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice. • The expedition, needed three things: funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice. • The expedition needed three things: funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice. • The expedition needed three things; funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.

• A. The expedition needed: three things, funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.
• B. The expedition, needed three things: funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.
• C. The expedition needed three things: funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.
• D. The expedition needed three things; funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.

Question 2

Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? The students who had finished early were allowed to leave, but the others stayed until four.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 3

Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • The results were clear — the new vaccine worked, but the team wanted a larger trial. • The results were clear — the new vaccine worked — but the team wanted a larger trial. • The results were clear, the new vaccine worked — but the team wanted a larger trial. • The results were clear: the new vaccine worked; but, the team wanted a larger trial.

• A. The results were clear — the new vaccine worked, but the team wanted a larger trial.
• B. The results were clear — the new vaccine worked — but the team wanted a larger trial.
• C. The results were clear, the new vaccine worked — but the team wanted a larger trial.
• D. The results were clear: the new vaccine worked; but, the team wanted a larger trial.

Question 4

Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? The results were clear — the new vaccine worked — but the team wanted a larger trial.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 5

Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • Although the bridge was old engineers declared it safe, however, they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years. • Although, the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however they recommended repairs within five years.

• A. Although the bridge was old engineers declared it safe, however, they recommended repairs within five years.
• B. Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years.
• C. Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years.
• D. Although, the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however they recommended repairs within five years.

Question 6

Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? My grandmother, who grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, still makes the best patties I've ever tasted.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 7

Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • The students, who had finished early, were allowed to leave but the others stayed until four. • The students who had finished early, were allowed to leave, but the others stayed until four. • The students who had finished early were allowed to leave, but the others stayed until four. • The students who had finished early were allowed to leave but, the others stayed until four.

• A. The students, who had finished early, were allowed to leave but the others stayed until four.
• B. The students who had finished early, were allowed to leave, but the others stayed until four.
• C. The students who had finished early were allowed to leave, but the others stayed until four.
• D. The students who had finished early were allowed to leave but, the others stayed until four.

Question 8

Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? "It isn't over," she said, "until the last whistle blows."

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 9

Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old engineers declared it safe, however, they recommended repairs within five years. • Although, the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years.

• A. Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years.
• B. Although the bridge was old engineers declared it safe, however, they recommended repairs within five years.
• C. Although, the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however they recommended repairs within five years.
• D. Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years.

Question 10

Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? The students who had finished early were allowed to leave but, the others stayed until four.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 11

Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • The expedition needed three things: funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice. • The expedition needed three things; funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice. • The expedition needed: three things, funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice. • The expedition, needed three things: funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.

• A. The expedition needed three things: funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.
• B. The expedition needed three things; funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.
• C. The expedition needed: three things, funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.
• D. The expedition, needed three things: funding, a ship and a crew willing to spend a winter in the ice.

Question 12

Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? The results were clear — the new vaccine worked — but the team wanted a larger trial.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 13

Which sentence is punctuated correctly throughout? • Although, the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old engineers declared it safe, however, they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years. • Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years.

• A. Although, the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however they recommended repairs within five years.
• B. Although the bridge was old engineers declared it safe, however, they recommended repairs within five years.
• C. Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years.
• D. Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe; however, they recommended repairs within five years.

Question 14

Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? The results were clear — the new vaccine worked — but the team wanted a larger trial.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 15

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.

• A. Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist, Ms Ortiz, a novelist, and Mr Haddad, a chef.
• B. Speakers included: Dr Lee a geologist; Ms Ortiz a novelist; and Mr Haddad a chef.
• C. Speakers included Dr Lee; a geologist, Ms Ortiz; a novelist, and Mr Haddad; a chef.
• D. Speakers included Dr Lee, a geologist; Ms Ortiz, a novelist; and Mr Haddad, a chef.

Question 16

Is every punctuation mark in this sentence correct? Although the bridge was old, engineers declared it safe, however they recommended repairs within five years.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct