which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation

ATI TEAS 7

English and Language Usage TEAS

1. Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation?

A. Carole is not currently working; her focus is on her children at the moment.
B. Carole is not currently working, and her focus is on her children at the moment.
C. Carole is not currently working; her focus is on her children at the moment.
D. Carole is not currently working, her focus is on her children at the moment.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Option A uses correct punctuation by correctly utilizing the semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses. This punctuation choice effectively conveys the relationship between the two ideas presented in the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it uses a comma without a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect as it lacks the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma to connect the two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it lacks any punctuation or conjunction to properly separate the two independent clauses, leading to a run-on sentence.

2. Which sentence uses the comparative degree of an adjective correctly?

A. This movie is good, but the other one is better.
B. She is the tallest player on the team.
C. He worked harder than everyone else.
D. My coffee is hotter than yours.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Option A correctly uses the comparative degree by comparing the quality of two movies with the word 'better.' This sentence demonstrates a comparison between two items in terms of quality, making it the correct use of the comparative degree of an adjective. Choice B uses the superlative degree ('tallest') instead of the comparative degree. Choice C uses the comparative degree correctly but with an adverb ('harder') instead of an adjective. Choice D uses the comparative degree correctly, but it compares the temperature of two coffees rather than the quality of the coffee.

3. Which sentence correctly uses the colon?

A. She had one wish: to visit Paris.
B. She had: one wish to visit Paris.
C. She had one: wish to visit Paris.
D. She had one wish: visit Paris.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: "She had one wish: to visit Paris." A colon is used after a complete sentence to introduce a list, quotation, or explanation. In choice A, the colon is appropriately used after the complete sentence 'She had one wish' to introduce the explanation 'to visit Paris.' Choices B, C, and D incorrectly place the colon in positions that do not follow a complete sentence or do not properly introduce an explanation, making them grammatically incorrect.

4. Which of the following sentences uses formal language?

A. The guests had a wonderful time at the party.
B. The guests said the party was awesome!
C. The partygoers wanted to hang out all night.
D. The partiers were up for something more.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is sentence A: 'The guests had a wonderful time at the party.' This sentence uses formal language suitable for most written communication. Choice B uses informal language with the word 'awesome,' which is more casual and conversational. Choice C, 'The partygoers wanted to hang out all night,' while not as informal as choice B, is still less formal than choice A. Choice D, 'The partiers were up for something more,' uses slang ('partiers') and casual language ('up for something more'), making it the least formal option among the choices.