which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly

ATI TEAS 7

English and Language Usage TEAS

1. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

A. A carpenter must use certain tools - hammers, saws, chisels - to finish a job.
B. A carpenter must use certain tools: hammers, saws, chisels to finish a job.
C. A carpenter must use certain tools hammers, saws, chisels to finish a job.
D. A carpenter must use certain tools; hammers, saws, chisels to finish a job.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer as the sentence is correctly punctuated using em dashes to set off the list. The em dashes help to clearly separate the list of tools from the rest of the sentence. In Choice B, a colon is used, which is incorrect as colons are typically used to introduce a list, not within the list itself. Choice C lacks any punctuation to separate the list, making it unclear and incorrect. Choice D uses semicolons, which are not appropriate for separating items in a list, making it incorrect as well.

2. Which of the following examples is a sentence fragment?

A. Believe me.
B. On the 5:30 train.
C. You probably know Sally.
D. That's right.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, 'On the 5:30 train.' This is a sentence fragment because it does not contain a subject and a verb. In this case, 'On the 5:30 train' is a prepositional phrase, not a complete sentence. Choices A, C, and D are complete sentences as they have both a subject and a verb, making them grammatically correct and not sentence fragments.

3. After a long, exhausting hike, Stephanie went home and fell asleep on the couch, which she had done many times before. Which comma should be removed in the sentence above?

A. The comma after the word 'long'
B. The comma after the word 'hike'
C. The comma after the word 'home'
D. The comma after the word 'couch'

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The comma after 'home' is unnecessary and should be removed. In this sentence, 'and' is joining two independent clauses, which doesn't require a comma before it. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they are correctly placed commas within the sentence.

4. Which of the answer choices best explains the purpose of the parentheses in the sentence?

A. To offer brief commentary on the subject matter being discussed
B. To modify or qualify the statement that came immediately before
C. To identify information that was located using another source
D. To set off useful information that does not fit the flow of the sentence

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Parentheses are used to set off supplementary information (the years of Franz Joseph I's reign) that provides context but does not disrupt the flow of the main sentence. Choice A is incorrect as the purpose of the parentheses in this case is not to offer commentary but to provide additional information. Choice B is incorrect as the parentheses do not modify or qualify the statement before. Choice C is incorrect as the information in the parentheses is not identified as being from another source.

5. Which of the following sentences is an example of a complex sentence structure?

A. Opening night for the performance was fast approaching, and stress levels were high.
B. Because my tea was cold, I heated it in the microwave.
C. She returned the laptop, the mouse, and the extra monitor.
D. I closed the door as the noise from the TV was too loud, but I could still hear it.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. In sentence B, 'Because my tea was cold' is the dependent clause, indicating that it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Choices A, C, and D do not contain a dependent clause along with an independent clause, making them incorrect. Choice A is a compound sentence with two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Choice C is a compound sentence with a series of independent clauses, but lacks a dependent clause. Choice D is a compound-complex sentence with two independent clauses and a dependent clause.