Punctuation - SAT Reading & Writing
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Identify the punctuation error: 'Its raining outside.'
Identify the punctuation error: 'Its raining outside.'
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Correct: 'It's raining outside.'. "It's" is the contraction for "it is" and requires an apostrophe.
Correct: 'It's raining outside.'. "It's" is the contraction for "it is" and requires an apostrophe.
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What punctuation mark indicates possession?
What punctuation mark indicates possession?
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Apostrophe. The apostrophe shows ownership or possession in nouns.
Apostrophe. The apostrophe shows ownership or possession in nouns.
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Find and correct the error: 'The book is John, not mine.'
Find and correct the error: 'The book is John, not mine.'
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Correct: 'The book is John's, not mine.'. The possessive form "John's" requires an apostrophe to show ownership.
Correct: 'The book is John's, not mine.'. The possessive form "John's" requires an apostrophe to show ownership.
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What punctuation is used to introduce a list?
What punctuation is used to introduce a list?
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Colon. A colon signals that a list or explanation follows.
Colon. A colon signals that a list or explanation follows.
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Identify the error in punctuation: 'I bought apples oranges and bananas.'
Identify the error in punctuation: 'I bought apples oranges and bananas.'
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Correct: 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.'. Commas separate items in a series to clarify meaning.
Correct: 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.'. Commas separate items in a series to clarify meaning.
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What punctuation is used for direct quotations?
What punctuation is used for direct quotations?
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Quotation marks. Quotation marks enclose the exact words someone spoke or wrote.
Quotation marks. Quotation marks enclose the exact words someone spoke or wrote.
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Which punctuation ends a declarative sentence?
Which punctuation ends a declarative sentence?
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Period. A period ends statements and declarative sentences.
Period. A period ends statements and declarative sentences.
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Find and correct the error: 'He asked, 'Can you help me''
Find and correct the error: 'He asked, 'Can you help me''
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Correct: 'He asked, "Can you help me?"'. Double quotation marks are standard, and the question mark goes inside the quotes.
Correct: 'He asked, "Can you help me?"'. Double quotation marks are standard, and the question mark goes inside the quotes.
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What punctuation mark is used to indicate possession?
What punctuation mark is used to indicate possession?
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An apostrophe indicates possession. Shows ownership or belonging to someone or something.
An apostrophe indicates possession. Shows ownership or belonging to someone or something.
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What is the purpose of a semicolon?
What is the purpose of a semicolon?
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A semicolon connects closely related independent clauses. Stronger than a comma, weaker than a period.
A semicolon connects closely related independent clauses. Stronger than a comma, weaker than a period.
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Identify the correct use of a colon: The list includes apples oranges bananas.
Identify the correct use of a colon: The list includes apples oranges bananas.
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The list includes: apples, oranges, bananas. Colon introduces what follows after a complete sentence.
The list includes: apples, oranges, bananas. Colon introduces what follows after a complete sentence.
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Correct the punctuation: My favorite colors are blue green and red.
Correct the punctuation: My favorite colors are blue green and red.
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My favorite colors are blue, green, and red. Serial comma clarifies the list structure.
My favorite colors are blue, green, and red. Serial comma clarifies the list structure.
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What punctuation is used to indicate a direct quotation?
What punctuation is used to indicate a direct quotation?
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Quotation marks indicate a direct quotation. Enclose exact words spoken or written by someone.
Quotation marks indicate a direct quotation. Enclose exact words spoken or written by someone.
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Identify the correct use of parentheses in this sentence: John who is my friend is visiting.
Identify the correct use of parentheses in this sentence: John who is my friend is visiting.
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John (who is my friend) is visiting. Parentheses enclose additional, nonessential information.
John (who is my friend) is visiting. Parentheses enclose additional, nonessential information.
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Correct the punctuation: The teacher said Study hard.
Correct the punctuation: The teacher said Study hard.
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The teacher said, 'Study hard.'. Comma and quotation marks properly frame dialogue.
The teacher said, 'Study hard.'. Comma and quotation marks properly frame dialogue.
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Choose the correct punctuation: Wow that is amazing.
Choose the correct punctuation: Wow that is amazing.
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Wow! That is amazing. Exclamation point shows strong emotional reaction.
Wow! That is amazing. Exclamation point shows strong emotional reaction.
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Correct the punctuation: He asked where are you going.
Correct the punctuation: He asked where are you going.
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He asked, 'Where are you going?'. Comma introduces the quoted question.
He asked, 'Where are you going?'. Comma introduces the quoted question.
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What is the purpose of ellipsis in writing?
What is the purpose of ellipsis in writing?
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Ellipsis indicates omitted material or a trailing off. Three dots show incomplete thoughts or pauses.
Ellipsis indicates omitted material or a trailing off. Three dots show incomplete thoughts or pauses.
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What punctuation marks are used to surround a nonessential clause?
What punctuation marks are used to surround a nonessential clause?
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Commas are used to surround a nonessential clause. Nonessential clauses can be removed without changing meaning.
Commas are used to surround a nonessential clause. Nonessential clauses can be removed without changing meaning.
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What is the function of a dash?
What is the function of a dash?
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A dash sets off information or emphasizes a point. Creates dramatic pauses or highlights information.
A dash sets off information or emphasizes a point. Creates dramatic pauses or highlights information.
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What punctuation mark is used to separate coordinate adjectives?
What punctuation mark is used to separate coordinate adjectives?
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A comma separates coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives modify the noun equally.
A comma separates coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives modify the noun equally.
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What punctuation mark is used to introduce a list or explanation?
What punctuation mark is used to introduce a list or explanation?
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A colon introduces a list or explanation. Signals that important information follows.
A colon introduces a list or explanation. Signals that important information follows.
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What is the function of a period in a sentence?
What is the function of a period in a sentence?
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A period ends a declarative sentence. Periods provide closure to complete thoughts.
A period ends a declarative sentence. Periods provide closure to complete thoughts.
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Choose the correct punctuation: Its raining outside.
Choose the correct punctuation: Its raining outside.
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It's raining outside. 'It's' is a contraction for 'it is'.
It's raining outside. 'It's' is a contraction for 'it is'.
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Correct the punctuation: She said I love ice cream.
Correct the punctuation: She said I love ice cream.
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She said, 'I love ice cream.'. Quotation marks and comma set off direct speech.
She said, 'I love ice cream.'. Quotation marks and comma set off direct speech.
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Correct the punctuation: She bought a new dress it was expensive.
Correct the punctuation: She bought a new dress it was expensive.
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She bought a new dress; it was expensive. Semicolon properly joins two related complete thoughts.
She bought a new dress; it was expensive. Semicolon properly joins two related complete thoughts.
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What is the function of an exclamation point?
What is the function of an exclamation point?
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An exclamation point indicates strong emotion or emphasis. Conveys excitement, surprise, or forceful commands.
An exclamation point indicates strong emotion or emphasis. Conveys excitement, surprise, or forceful commands.
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Identify the correct usage of a comma in a list: apples oranges bananas.
Identify the correct usage of a comma in a list: apples oranges bananas.
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Apples, oranges, bananas. Commas separate items in a series.
Apples, oranges, bananas. Commas separate items in a series.
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