Examkin

Conventions of Punctuation

374 questions

All types374Multiple choice326Fill in the blank48
Question 41Question →

The Hubble Space Telescope , which was launched into orbit in 1990, has provided stunning images of deep space. Operating high above Earth's atmosphere, the telescope avoids the distorting effects of dust and gas. These clear views have helped scientists calculate the age of our universe.

Which of the following options represents the correct punctuation for the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

The option containing the relative clause 'which was launched into orbit in 1990' set off by a comma on both sides is correct.
The clause 'which was launched into orbit in 1990' is nonessential because it provides extra detail about 'The Hubble Space Telescope' without changing the core meaning of the sentence. Therefore, it must be enclosed by commas on both sides, which is correctly done in the original phrasing.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the underlined clause is essential or nonessential to the meaning of the sentence.
The clause is nonessential because the specific subject 'The Hubble Space Telescope' is already named.
Nonessential information must be set off with punctuation, whereas essential information should not be set off.
2
Identify the correct punctuation pattern to set off the nonessential clause.
A pair of commas (one before 'which' and one after '1990') correctly encloses the nonessential clause.
This avoids fragment errors from semicolons and keeps parenthetical punctuation complete.

Key Concept

Nonessential clauses must be enclosed by a pair of commas, whereas restrictive clauses must not have commas.
Question 42Question →

In the passage below, a portion of one sentence is underlined.

Although many nineteenth-century scholars dismissed her work, Mary Anning made groundbreaking discoveries along the cliffs of Lyme Regis. The fossils she excavated helped reshape early geological theories. In particular, her discovery of the first complete plesiosaur skeleton which occurred in 1823 proved that the amateur fossil hunter, who worked alone, could outperform academic scholars.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: skeleton, which occurred in 1823, proved that the amateur fossil hunter who worked alone

Answer

The correct answer is the choice that sets off the nonessential clause 'which occurred in 1823' with commas and leaves the restrictive clause 'who worked alone' without punctuation.
The correct choice properly uses a pair of commas to enclose the nonessential relative clause 'which occurred in 1823' and correctly leaves the restrictive relative clause 'who worked alone' unpunctuated. Nonessential information requires surrounding commas to show it can be removed without altering the core meaning of the sentence, while restrictive information defines a specific referent and must remain integrated without commas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nonessential relative clause.
'which occurred in 1823' is identified as nonessential.
This clause adds descriptive details about the discovery of the skeleton but is not essential to identify the skeleton itself, meaning it must be enclosed by a pair of commas.
2
Identify the restrictive relative clause.
'who worked alone' is identified as restrictive.
This clause specifies which amateur fossil hunter is being referred to (only the ones who worked alone), making it essential to the sentence's meaning, so it must not have commas.
3
Eliminate incorrect punctuation options.
Choices with dangling commas, semicolons setting off dependent clauses, or commas around restrictive clauses are eliminated.
Semicolons cannot set off nonessential dependent clauses from an independent clause, and missing or misplaced commas violate standard punctuation conventions.

Key Concept

Distinguishing between nonessential elements (which require commas) and restrictive elements (which must not have commas).
Question 43Question →

During the expedition, the research team gathered various ice cores. The samples, which were collected from the Antarctic shelf contained ancient air bubbles that reveal details about the Earth's historic atmosphere. By analyzing these tiny pockets of gas, scientists can reconstruct past climates.

Which option most effectively corrects the punctuation of the underlined portion in the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: samples, which were collected from the Antarctic shelf, contained

Answer

The correct option is the one that sets off the nonessential relative clause with a pair of commas: 'samples, which were collected from the Antarctic shelf, contained'.
The correct answer properly identifies that the relative clause describing the ice core samples is nonessential and therefore must be set off with a pair of commas. The punctuation correctly places a comma before the relative pronoun 'which' and a second comma after 'shelf' to close the parenthetical insertion before the main verb 'contained'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify whether the underlined clause is essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive) to the meaning of the sentence.
The clause 'which were collected from the Antarctic shelf' is nonessential because the sentence still identifies 'The samples' as the subject and makes sense without this additional descriptive detail.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence with punctuation (usually commas), while essential elements should not have commas.
2
Select the option that correctly uses a pair of commas to enclose the nonessential relative clause.
The correct option uses a comma after 'samples' and a comma after 'shelf' before the verb 'contained'.
This maintains the grammatical flow and correctly punctuates the parenthetical information.

Key Concept

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 44Question →

During the international conference, the coordinators reviewed the progress of the research trials. Although the three partner laboratories worked independently, the scientists' consensus on it's efficacy was clear.

Which choice best represents the correct punctuation for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: scientists' consensus on its

Answer

The correct phrasing is 'scientists' consensus on its', using the plural possessive 'scientists'' to indicate the collective consensus of multiple scientists and the possessive pronoun 'its' to modify 'efficacy'.
The context refers to 'three partner laboratories,' which implies there are multiple scientists involved. Therefore, the plural possessive 'scientists'' is required to show that the consensus belongs to all of them. Additionally, the sentence requires the possessive pronoun 'its' to modify the noun 'efficacy' (representing the efficacy of the trials), rather than the contraction 'it's' (it is).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the noun performing the possession and determine if it is singular or plural.
The sentence mentions 'three partner laboratories,' establishing that there are multiple scientists whose consensus is described. The plural possessive form is 'scientists''.
To correctly punctuate the possessive noun based on the surrounding context.
2
Identify whether a contraction or possessive pronoun is needed before the noun 'efficacy'.
The sentence describes the efficacy of the subject (the vaccine or treatment), so the possessive pronoun 'its' is correct. The contraction 'it's' (it is) would create a grammatical error.
To distinguish between homophones based on the grammatical requirements of the sentence.
3
Combine the correct plural possessive noun and the correct possessive pronoun.
The correct combination is 'scientists' consensus on its'.
To select the option that resolves both punctuation challenges correctly.

Key Concept

Possessive apostrophes for singular and plural nouns, and distinguishing possessive pronouns from contractions.
Question 45Question →

The solar power plant, which generates clean energy for thousands of homes, has reached it's maximum capacity during the peak summer months.

Which of the following is the best replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its

Answer

its
The correct answer is the singular possessive pronoun 'its'. In the sentence, the pronoun modifies the noun 'capacity' to show possession by the singular subject 'the solar power plant'. Unlike possessive nouns, possessive pronouns (its, their, your, etc.) do not use apostrophes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word being tested and the context of the sentence.
The underlined word is 'it's', which modifies the noun phrase 'maximum capacity' belonging to the singular noun 'plant'.
Determining the relationship between the words helps identify whether a contraction or a possessive pronoun is required.
2
Determine the correct grammatical form required by the context.
Since 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is', substituting it into the sentence makes it ungrammatical ('reached it is maximum capacity'). Thus, a possessive form is required.
A possessive adjective must modify the noun 'capacity' to show ownership by the plant.
3
Select the correct spelling of the singular possessive pronoun.
The singular possessive pronoun is spelled 'its' without any apostrophe. The spelling 'its'' is incorrect, and 'it's' is a contraction.
Unlike possessive nouns, possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes to show ownership.

Key Concept

Distinction between the contraction 'it's' and the possessive pronoun 'its'
Estimated Time:40s
Question 46Question →

While the space probe gathered invaluable data from Saturn's rings, the six flight directors' main concern was it's failing power source.

Which of the following options is the correct punctuation for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: directors' main concern was its

Answer

The correct option is 'directors' main concern was its', which properly uses the plural possessive apostrophe for 'directors'' and the possessive pronoun 'its' for the space probe.
The correct answer is 'directors' main concern was its' because the sentence refers to the collective concern of 'six flight directors' (requiring the plural possessive noun 'directors'') and the power source of the space probe (requiring the possessive pronoun 'its').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the noun 'directors' should be singular or plural, and possessive.
The context mentions 'six flight directors,' which is plural. To show possession of the 'main concern,' we add an apostrophe after the 's' to form 'directors''.
This correctly represents a plural possessive noun.
2
Determine whether the pronoun referring to the space probe's power source should be a possessive pronoun or a contraction.
We need the possessive pronoun 'its' to modify 'failing power source'. The contraction 'it's' (meaning 'it is') would be grammatically incorrect in this context.
The sentence refers to the power source belonging to the space probe.
3
Combine the correct choices to select the best option.
The correct combination is 'directors' main concern was its'.
This choice resolves both the plural possessive noun and the possessive pronoun rules correctly.

Key Concept

Apostrophes for Possessives and Contractions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 47Question →

While the two software developers worked late to patch the security flaw, the programmers' main concern was that the system would lose its users' trust.

Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

NO CHANGE
The correct option correctly uses the plural possessive apostrophe after the 's' in 'programmers' because the introductory clause references 'two software developers.' It also correctly uses the possessive pronoun 'its' to show that the trust belongs to the 'system,' whereas the contraction 'it's' (meaning 'it is' or 'it has') would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the possessive noun 'programmers' should be singular or plural.
Since the sentence refers to 'the two software developers,' the noun must be plural possessive, which is written as 'programmers''.
The introductory clause establishes that there are two developers, so a plural possessive is required.
2
Determine whether the possessive pronoun 'its' or the contraction 'it's' is correct.
The word modifies 'users' trust' and represents ownership by the system, so the possessive pronoun 'its' is correct.
The contraction 'it's' stands for 'it is' or 'it has,' which does not make sense in the phrase 'the system would lose it is users' trust.'

Key Concept

Using apostrophes correctly for singular/plural possessive nouns and distinguishing between the possessive pronoun 'its' and the contraction 'it's'.
Question 48Question →

In sentences containing a list of items that already include internal commas, semicolons are used to separate the main items to prevent confusion. Read the sentence below, and fill in the blanks with the correct punctuation mark to separate the items in this complex list.

Fill in the blanks below

The curation committee selected three distinct installations for the new exhibition: a massive sculpture composed of reclaimed industrial steel from Detroit, Michigan a series of delicate, monochromatic oil paintings from Oaxaca, Mexico and a room-sized, interactive light display from Kyoto, Japan.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

A semicolon (;) must be placed in both blanks to separate the items in the complex list.
The sentence features a complex list where the individual items already contain internal commas ('Detroit, Michigan', 'Oaxaca, Mexico', and 'Kyoto, Japan'). To avoid confusion and establish a clear hierarchy, semicolons must be used as 'super-commas' to separate the main items in the list. Thus, both blanks require a semicolon.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the sentence to identify the list items and their components.
The sentence lists three distinct art installations: a sculpture from Detroit, Michigan; oil paintings from Oaxaca, Mexico; and a light display from Kyoto, Japan.
Understanding the hierarchy of the list helps determine the appropriate level of punctuation needed to separate the items.
2
Check the individual list items for internal punctuation.
Each item contains its own internal comma separating the city name from the state or country ('Detroit, Michigan', 'Oaxaca, Mexico', and 'Kyoto, Japan').
If list items contain internal commas, standard commas cannot be used to separate the items themselves without creating visual and grammatical confusion.
3
Apply the 'super-comma' rule to separate the main elements of the list.
Replace the standard item separators with semicolons, placing one after 'Michigan' and another after 'Mexico'.
Semicolons act as stronger separators, grouping the city and state/country names together and clarifying where each individual list item ends and the next begins.

Key Concept

Using semicolons to separate items in a complex list containing internal punctuation.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 49Question →

Read the sentence below. Which punctuation mark must fill the blank in order to correctly divide the elements of the complex list?

Fill in the blanks below

To complete their research, the botanists cataloged specimens from three distinct microclimates: the humid valley floor, where ferns and mosses thrived the arid rocky slopes, which supported drought-resistant shrubs; and the alpine zone, where only hardy lichens could survive.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

A semicolon (;)
A semicolon is the correct punctuation mark to fill the blank. In standard written English, when the items in a list contain their own internal punctuation (such as the commas introducing the relative clauses in this sentence), semicolons must be used to separate the main items in the list. This avoids confusion and clearly demarcates where one item ends and the next begins. The presence of a semicolon before the final conjunction and item ('; and the alpine zone') confirms that semicolons are the intended separators for this list.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the sentence and identify that it contains a list of items.
The sentence lists three distinct microclimates: 'the humid valley floor...', 'the arid rocky slopes...', and 'the alpine zone...'.
Understanding the overall sentence structure helps identify the relationship between the components.
2
Check the items in the list for internal punctuation.
Each list item contains an internal comma separating the noun phrase from an adjective clause (e.g., 'the humid valley floor, where ferns and mosses thrived').
If list items contain internal commas, standard punctuation rules require a stronger separator than a comma between the main items.
3
Examine the punctuation used elsewhere in the list to maintain consistency.
A semicolon is used to separate the second and third items ('; and the alpine zone').
Parallel list structure requires the same punctuation mark to separate the first and second items.
4
Determine the correct punctuation mark for the blank.
A semicolon must be placed in the blank.
Using a semicolon ensures the complex list is clearly organized and grammatically correct.

Key Concept

Using semicolons to separate items in a complex list when the items themselves contain internal punctuation.
Question 50Question →

In the early twentieth century, the verification of Einstein's general theory of relativity hinged on observing the deflection of starlight during a solar eclipse. Arthur Eddington, who captured the photographic evidence that confirmed the theory, was an English astrophysicist who led the crucial 1919 expedition to the island of Príncipe. This landmark observation catapulted Einstein to global fame and revolutionized modern physics.

Which of the following choices best punctuates the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

NO CHANGE
The correct option correctly uses a pair of commas to set off the nonessential relative clause beginning with 'who captured' and ending with 'theory' from the main sentence, while correctly avoiding commas around the restrictive clause 'that confirmed the theory'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify whether the underlined relative clause is essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive) to the meaning of the sentence.
The clause 'who captured the photographic evidence that confirmed the theory' modifies the proper noun 'Arthur Eddington.' Because proper nouns uniquely identify a person, any relative clause modifying them is nonessential.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence with punctuation (typically commas).
2
Determine the correct punctuation to set off the nonessential clause.
A pair of commas must enclose the nonessential clause: one immediately before it (after 'Eddington') and one immediately after it (after 'theory').
Failing to include both commas leaves a punctuation mark dangling and breaks the syntactic flow of the main sentence.
3
Evaluate the restrictive clause 'that confirmed the theory' nested inside the nonessential clause.
This nested clause is restrictive because it specifies which photographic evidence is being discussed. Therefore, it must not be separated from 'evidence' by commas.
Commas should never isolate a restrictive clause from the noun it modifies.

Key Concept

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
Question 51Question →

Though the two companies announced a mutual merger, each board's members defended it's own autonomy during the final negotiations.

Which of the following is the best replacement for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: board's members defended its

Answer

board's members defended its
The correct option correctly applies the singular possessive form 'board's' to agree with the singular modifier 'each', and it uses the possessive pronoun 'its' (without an apostrophe) to refer to the singular noun 'board'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine whether 'board' should be singular or plural possessive.
Since the sentence uses the word 'each' to refer to the individual boards, the noun must be singular. To show possession of the members, we use the singular possessive form, 'board's'.
The adjective 'each' always modifies a singular noun.
2
Determine the correct pronoun to replace 'it's'.
The pronoun refers back to the singular noun 'board' and must show possession of 'autonomy'. The singular possessive pronoun is 'its'.
'It's' is a contraction for 'it is' or 'it has', and 'its'' is a non-existent spelling. A possessive pronoun is needed here.
3
Combine the correct noun form and pronoun form to choose the correct replacement.
The correct combination is 'board's' and 'its'.
This option resolves both the noun punctuation error and the pronoun homophone error.

Key Concept

Apostrophes for Possessives and Contractions
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 52Question →

Although the committee members were impressed by the design of the new library, they voiced concerns about it's visitors' access to the parking options, which were already crowded with hundreds of vehicles.

Which of the following is the best replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: its visitors'

Answer

The correct option is the one that reads "its visitors'".
The correct answer correctly uses "its" as the possessive pronoun for the singular noun "library" and "visitors'" as the plural possessive noun. The possessive pronoun "its" never takes an apostrophe, and placing the apostrophe after the "s" in "visitors'" correctly shows that the access belongs to multiple visitors, matching the plural context of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the correct possessive form for the pronoun referring to the library.
The pronoun refers to the singular noun "library." The possessive form of "it" is "its" without any apostrophe. The spelling "it's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has," and the spelling "its'" is not a valid English word.
Choosing the correct possessive pronoun avoids homophone and spelling confusion.
2
Determine whether the noun "visitor" should be singular or plural, and possessive or not.
The context mentions "hundreds of vehicles," indicating there are multiple visitors. The access belongs to these visitors, requiring a plural possessive noun: "visitors'". Placing the apostrophe before the "s" ("visitor's") would incorrectly make it singular possessive.
Applying the correct plural possessive punctuation fits the context of the sentence.

Key Concept

Possessive Pronouns and Plural Possessives
Question 53Question →

The newly discovered cave system contains unique crystalline formations, furthermore, it houses a previously unknown species of blind cave fish.

Which of the following choices best replaces the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: formations; furthermore, it

Answer

The correct option is 'formations; furthermore, it' because it correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses connected by the transitional adverb 'furthermore'.
The correct option uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses linked by the transitional adverb 'furthermore'. When two independent clauses are joined by a conjunctive adverb, a semicolon must precede the adverb, and a comma must follow it.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two clauses in the sentence.
The clauses are 'The newly discovered cave system contains unique crystalline formations' and 'it houses a previously unknown species of blind cave fish'.
Determining clause type helps choose the correct punctuation.
2
Determine if the clauses are independent or dependent.
Both clauses can stand alone as complete thoughts, meaning they are both independent clauses.
Two independent clauses must be joined by a semicolon, a colon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
3
Evaluate the role of the transitional adverb 'furthermore'.
Since 'furthermore' is a conjunctive adverb linking two independent clauses, it requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
This establishes proper transition punctuation and avoids a comma splice.

Key Concept

Using semicolons to connect independent clauses linked by a transitional adverb.
Question 54Question →

Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles south every autumn; they spend the winter in the forests of central Mexico.

Which of the following choices best punctuates the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: autumn; they

Answer

The correct answer is the option that reads 'autumn; they'.
The correct option is the one that leaves the sentence unchanged. The sentence is composed of two independent clauses: 'Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles south every autumn' and 'they spend the winter in the forests of central Mexico.' Because both clauses are complete thoughts that could stand alone as sentences, a semicolon is the grammatically correct way to join them without a coordinating conjunction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the two clauses being joined in the sentence.
The first clause is 'Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles south every autumn,' and the second clause is 'they spend the winter in the forests of central Mexico.'
We must determine whether the clauses are independent or dependent to apply the correct punctuation rule.
2
Analyze the grammatical structure of both clauses.
Both clauses contain a subject and a verb, express a complete thought, and can stand alone as separate sentences, meaning they are both independent clauses.
Knowing that both clauses are independent helps narrow down the acceptable ways to connect them.
3
Determine the appropriate punctuation to connect the two independent clauses.
Since there is no coordinating conjunction (like 'and' or 'but') to link them, a semicolon is the correct punctuation mark to connect the two independent clauses.
This correctly resolves the transition without introducing comma splices or fragment errors.

Key Concept

Using a semicolon to link two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 55Question →

Passage:
The atmospheric pressure on Venus is ninety times greater than that of Earth; therefore, sending probes to explore the planetary surface requires heavily armored landers that can withstand the crushing environment for only a few hours.

Which of the following options is the most effective punctuation for the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Earth; therefore, sending probes

Answer

The correct option is the one that uses a semicolon followed by 'therefore' and a comma to join the two independent clauses.
The original sentence correctly uses a semicolon to connect two closely related independent clauses. The conjunctive adverb 'therefore' is properly preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma, establishing a logical cause-and-effect relationship without creating a comma splice or run-on sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clauses surrounding the underlined portion.
The first clause ('The atmospheric pressure on Venus is ninety times greater than that of Earth') and the second clause ('sending probes to explore the planetary surface requires heavily armored landers...') are both independent clauses capable of standing alone as complete sentences.
To determine the correct punctuation, we must first assess whether the clauses are independent or dependent.
2
Evaluate the role of the transitional word 'therefore'.
'Therefore' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction.
Conjunctive adverbs require a semicolon (or a period) before them and a comma after them when they are used to connect two independent clauses.
3
Analyze the choices to find the one that avoids a comma splice or a sentence fragment.
The original punctuation ('Earth; therefore, sending probes') correctly employs a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it, maintaining two complete, properly connected sentences.
Other choices introduce grammatical errors such as comma splices or dependent clause fragments.

Key Concept

Semicolons
Question 56Question →

Although the symphony hired only one guest conductor for the autumn season, the conductors' critique of they're final rehearsal was met with silent hostility from the musicians.

Which choice most effectively corrects the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: conductor's critique of their

Answer

The correct option is the one that reads 'conductor's critique of their'.
The correct choice is the one that uses the singular possessive noun 'conductor's' and the possessive pronoun 'their'. The sentence states that the symphony hired 'only one guest conductor,' which means the noun must be singular possessive ('conductor's'). Additionally, because 'final rehearsal' is a noun phrase, the possessive pronoun 'their' is required to modify it, rather than the contraction 'they're' (which means 'they are').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine whether the noun indicating possession should be singular or plural based on the context.
The clause states the symphony hired 'only one guest conductor,' meaning the singular possessive form 'conductor's' must be used instead of the plural possessive 'conductors'.
This establishes the correct placement of the apostrophe before the 's'.
2
Determine whether a contraction or possessive pronoun is required before the noun phrase 'final rehearsal'.
The context requires the possessive pronoun 'their' to modify 'final rehearsal' rather than the contraction 'they're' (which stands for 'they are').
This prevents a grammatical error and ensures the sentence makes logical sense.

Key Concept

Distinguishing singular and plural possessive nouns and identifying the correct usage of homophones (their vs. they're).
Question 57Question →

In 1962, biologist Rachel Carson published her landmark book *Silent Spring*. The book , which warned of the dangers of chemical pesticides, helped launch the modern environmental movement. Today, this work is widely considered a turning point in conservation history.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the passage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: NO CHANGE

Answer

The choice that makes no changes to the underlined portion is correct because it correctly uses a pair of commas to set off the nonessential relative clause.
The correct choice keeps the sentence as written. The clause 'which warned of the dangers of chemical pesticides' is a nonessential relative clause that provides extra information about the book. Because the book's title is already specified, the clause is not needed to identify the book. Therefore, it must be set off with a matching pair of commas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the underlined clause is essential or nonessential to the meaning of the sentence.
The clause 'which warned of the dangers of chemical pesticides' is nonessential because the book's title is already specified, making the clause parenthetical.
Nonessential information must be set off from the rest of the sentence with commas.
2
Evaluate the punctuation surrounding the nonessential clause.
A pair of commas is required, one before 'which' and one after 'pesticides'.
Omitting one of the commas or using a semicolon creates grammatical errors.

Key Concept

Setting off nonessential and parenthetical elements with a pair of commas
Question 58Question →

Read the sentence and analyze the relationship between the clauses. Which punctuation mark should be placed in the blank to correctly link the two independent clauses without using a coordinating conjunction?

Fill in the blanks below

Elena spent the morning painting the landscape her brother worked on a clay sculpture.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

A semicolon (;) is the correct punctuation mark to join the two independent clauses.
A semicolon is correct because it links two closely related independent clauses ('Elena spent the morning painting the landscape' and 'her brother worked on a clay sculpture') without a coordinating conjunction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structure of the clauses on either side of the blank.
The clause before the blank ('Elena spent the morning painting the landscape') and the clause after the blank ('her brother worked on a clay sculpture') are both independent clauses because they can stand alone as complete sentences.
Determining the clause types helps identify which punctuation rules apply.
2
Select the correct punctuation mark to join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
A semicolon (;) is used to link two closely related independent clauses when a coordinating conjunction is absent.
Using a comma here would create a comma splice, and using no punctuation would create a run-on sentence. Therefore, a semicolon is required.

Key Concept

Semicolons are used to connect two closely related independent clauses without the use of a coordinating conjunction.
Question 59Question →

The sentence below has a missing punctuation mark. Which punctuation mark must be placed in the blank to correctly join the two independent clauses?

Fill in the blanks below

Translating the ancient parchment required years of painstaking research nevertheless, the linguistic team finally decoded the forgotten dialect.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

A semicolon (;) must be used to join the two independent clauses.
A semicolon is required to connect two independent clauses when the second clause is introduced by a conjunctive adverb (such as 'nevertheless', 'however', or 'therefore').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clauses surrounding the blank.
The first clause is 'Translating the ancient parchment required years of painstaking research' and the second is 'nevertheless, the linguistic team finally decoded the forgotten dialect.' Both are independent clauses because they can stand alone as complete sentences.
Analyzing the grammatical structure of the clauses is the first step to determining proper punctuation.
2
Identify the transition word following the blank.
The transition word is 'nevertheless', which is a conjunctive adverb.
Conjunctive adverbs that link two independent clauses must be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.

Key Concept

Semicolons are used to link two independent clauses, especially when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase.
Question 60Question →

Deep within the Guatemalan rainforest, archeologists have discovered a vast network of Mayan ruins previously hidden by dense canopy. LiDAR; a laser mapping technology, has revealed structures that were previously invisible under the forest floor. This groundbreaking data has revolutionized our understanding of pre-Columbian civilization.

Which choice best punctuates the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: LiDAR, a laser mapping technology, has revealed structures that were previously invisible

Answer

LiDAR, a laser mapping technology, has revealed structures that were previously invisible
The correct answer properly encloses the nonessential appositive phrase 'a laser mapping technology' within a pair of commas. Because this phrase is parenthetical, removing it leaves a grammatically complete main clause. Additionally, it correctly avoids placing commas around the restrictive relative clause 'that were previously invisible', keeping the modifier linked to the noun it restricts.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify any parenthetical or nonessential elements in the sentence.
The phrase 'a laser mapping technology' describes LiDAR but is not essential to the core meaning of the sentence.
Identifying nonessential modifiers allows you to apply the appropriate comma rules to set them off from the main clause.
2
Determine the punctuation required for the nonessential appositive.
A pair of commas must enclose 'a laser mapping technology' (one after 'LiDAR' and one after 'technology').
Using a semicolon is incorrect because a semicolon must separate two independent clauses, and omitting one of the commas leaves a single dangling comma.
3
Analyze whether the relative clause starting with 'that' requires commas.
The clause 'that were previously invisible' restricts the meaning of 'structures' and is essential to the sentence, so it must not have commas.
Restrictive clauses are necessary to specify the referent and should never be isolated with commas.

Key Concept

Commas with Nonessential and Parenthetical Elements
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Conventions of Punctuation Practice Questions — ACT — Page 3 | Examkin