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FSOT-Punctuation and Mechanics Exam
Questions With 100% Correct Answers 2025
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.
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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.
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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.
3|Page
FSOT-Punctuation and Mechanics Exam
Questions With 100% Correct Answers 2025
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.
1|Page
, ©BRAINBARTER 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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.
2|Page
, ©BRAINBARTER 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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.
3|Page
