FSOT -PUNCTUATION AND MECHANICS
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Discuss the rule for end punctuation with question marks and exclamation
marks. - ANSWER Question Marks
Question marks should be used following a direct question. A polite request can
be followed by a period instead of a question mark.
Direct Question: What is for lunch today? | How are you? | Why is that the
answer?
Polite Requests:
Can you please send me the item tomorrow. | Will you please walk with me on
the track.
Exclamation Marks
Exclamation marks are used after a word group or sentence that shows much
feeling or has special importance. Exclamation marks should not be overused.
They are saved for proper exclamatory interjections.
Examples: We're going to the finals! | You have a beautiful car! | That's crazy!
Discuss the rule for using commas with interjections, the rule for using commas
for separating nonessential modifiers and appositives with commas, and the rule
for using commas to set off nouns of direct address, interrogative tags, and
contrast with commas. - ANSWER 1. Use commas for interjections and after
yes and no responses
Examples:
Interjection: Oh, I had no idea. | Wow, you know how to play this game.
Yes and No: Yes, I heard you. | No, I cannot come tomorrow.
2. Use commas to separate nonessential modifiers and nonessential appositives
Examples:
,Nonessential Modifier: John Frank, who is coaching the team, was promoted
today.
Nonessential Appositive: Thomas Edison, an American inventor, was born in
Ohio.
3. Use commas to set off nouns of direct address, interrogative tags, and
contrast
Examples:
Direct Address: You, John, are my only hope in this moment.
Interrogative Tag: This is the last time, correct?
Contrast: You are my friend, not my enemy.
Discuss the rule for using commas with coordinating conjunctions, the rule for
using commas with introductory phrases and adverbial clauses, the rule for
using commas with items in a series, and the rule for using commas with
coordinate adjectives. - ANSWER 1. Use a comma before a coordinating
conjunction joining independent clauses
Example: Bob caught three fish, and I caught two fish.
2. Use a comma after an introductory phrase or an adverbial clause
Examples:
After the final out, we went to a restaurant to celebrate.
Studying the stars, I was surprised at the beauty of the sky.
3. Use a comma between items in a series.
Example: I will bring the turkey, the pie, and the coffee.
4. Use a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined with and
Incorrect: The kind, and brown dog followed me home.
Correct: The kind, loyal dog followed me home.
Not all adjectives are coordinate (i.e., equal or parallel). There are two simple
ways to know if your adjectives are coordinate. One, you can join the adjectives
with and: The kind and loyal dog. Two, you can change the order of the
adjectives: The loyal, kind dog.
Discuss the rule for using semicolons with independent clauses and items in a
series that have internal punctuation. - ANSWER 1. Use a semicolon between
, closely connected independent clauses that are not connected with a
coordinating conjunction.
Examples:
She is outside; we are inside.
You are right; we should go with your plan.
2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional
word.
Examples:
I think that we can agree on this; however, I am not sure about my friends.
You are looking in the wrong places; therefore, you will not find what you need.
3. Use a semicolon between items in a series that has internal punctuation.
Example: I have visited New York, New York; Augusta, Maine; and Baltimore,
Maryland.
Discuss the rule for using commas with separate expressions (e.g., he/she said)
and the rule for dates, addresses, geographical names, and titles. - ANSWER 1.
Use commas to separate expressions like he said and she said if they come
between a sentence of a quote
Examples:
"I want you to know," he began, "that I always wanted the best for you."
"You can start," Jane said, "with an apology."
2. Use commas with dates, addresses, geographical names, and titles
Examples:
Date: July 4, 1776, is an important date to remember.
Address: He is meeting me at 456 Delaware Avenue, tomorrow morning.
Geographical Name: Paris, France, is my favorite city.
Title: John Smith, Ph. D., will be visiting your class today.
Discuss parentheses and give examples of their use in a sentence - ANSWER
Parentheses are used for additional information. Also, they can be used to put
labels for letters or numbers in a series. Parentheses should not be used very
often. If they are overused, parentheses can be a distraction instead of a help.
Examples:
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Discuss the rule for end punctuation with question marks and exclamation
marks. - ANSWER Question Marks
Question marks should be used following a direct question. A polite request can
be followed by a period instead of a question mark.
Direct Question: What is for lunch today? | How are you? | Why is that the
answer?
Polite Requests:
Can you please send me the item tomorrow. | Will you please walk with me on
the track.
Exclamation Marks
Exclamation marks are used after a word group or sentence that shows much
feeling or has special importance. Exclamation marks should not be overused.
They are saved for proper exclamatory interjections.
Examples: We're going to the finals! | You have a beautiful car! | That's crazy!
Discuss the rule for using commas with interjections, the rule for using commas
for separating nonessential modifiers and appositives with commas, and the rule
for using commas to set off nouns of direct address, interrogative tags, and
contrast with commas. - ANSWER 1. Use commas for interjections and after
yes and no responses
Examples:
Interjection: Oh, I had no idea. | Wow, you know how to play this game.
Yes and No: Yes, I heard you. | No, I cannot come tomorrow.
2. Use commas to separate nonessential modifiers and nonessential appositives
Examples:
,Nonessential Modifier: John Frank, who is coaching the team, was promoted
today.
Nonessential Appositive: Thomas Edison, an American inventor, was born in
Ohio.
3. Use commas to set off nouns of direct address, interrogative tags, and
contrast
Examples:
Direct Address: You, John, are my only hope in this moment.
Interrogative Tag: This is the last time, correct?
Contrast: You are my friend, not my enemy.
Discuss the rule for using commas with coordinating conjunctions, the rule for
using commas with introductory phrases and adverbial clauses, the rule for
using commas with items in a series, and the rule for using commas with
coordinate adjectives. - ANSWER 1. Use a comma before a coordinating
conjunction joining independent clauses
Example: Bob caught three fish, and I caught two fish.
2. Use a comma after an introductory phrase or an adverbial clause
Examples:
After the final out, we went to a restaurant to celebrate.
Studying the stars, I was surprised at the beauty of the sky.
3. Use a comma between items in a series.
Example: I will bring the turkey, the pie, and the coffee.
4. Use a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined with and
Incorrect: The kind, and brown dog followed me home.
Correct: The kind, loyal dog followed me home.
Not all adjectives are coordinate (i.e., equal or parallel). There are two simple
ways to know if your adjectives are coordinate. One, you can join the adjectives
with and: The kind and loyal dog. Two, you can change the order of the
adjectives: The loyal, kind dog.
Discuss the rule for using semicolons with independent clauses and items in a
series that have internal punctuation. - ANSWER 1. Use a semicolon between
, closely connected independent clauses that are not connected with a
coordinating conjunction.
Examples:
She is outside; we are inside.
You are right; we should go with your plan.
2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional
word.
Examples:
I think that we can agree on this; however, I am not sure about my friends.
You are looking in the wrong places; therefore, you will not find what you need.
3. Use a semicolon between items in a series that has internal punctuation.
Example: I have visited New York, New York; Augusta, Maine; and Baltimore,
Maryland.
Discuss the rule for using commas with separate expressions (e.g., he/she said)
and the rule for dates, addresses, geographical names, and titles. - ANSWER 1.
Use commas to separate expressions like he said and she said if they come
between a sentence of a quote
Examples:
"I want you to know," he began, "that I always wanted the best for you."
"You can start," Jane said, "with an apology."
2. Use commas with dates, addresses, geographical names, and titles
Examples:
Date: July 4, 1776, is an important date to remember.
Address: He is meeting me at 456 Delaware Avenue, tomorrow morning.
Geographical Name: Paris, France, is my favorite city.
Title: John Smith, Ph. D., will be visiting your class today.
Discuss parentheses and give examples of their use in a sentence - ANSWER
Parentheses are used for additional information. Also, they can be used to put
labels for letters or numbers in a series. Parentheses should not be used very
often. If they are overused, parentheses can be a distraction instead of a help.
Examples:
