English: Punctuation — Solved MCQs Solved MCQs

Correct Answer: In June 2002, President Bush said: "We will fight against the terrorism at the end of last drop of our bloods."

"In June 2002, President Bush said: "We will fight against the terrorism at the end of last drop of our bloods."" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "But it is in his description of high 'life below stairs' that Shamaila excels"

""But it is in his description of high 'life below stairs' that Shamaila excels"" is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: the keyed option has no final period after the closing quotation mark, but it is the only option with balanced quotation marks.

Correct Answer: John Pope is eighteen century-poet.

"John Pope is eighteen century-poet." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: America will leave Iraq and Afghanistan half-heartedly.

"America will leave Iraq and Afghanistan half-heartedly." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Yes, sir, I will do it immediately.

"Yes, sir, I will do it immediately." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Alas! His father has died.

"Alas! His father has died." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: O dear! Come to me.

"O dear! Come to me." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Hurrah! I got first position in B.A examination.

"Hurrah! I got first position in B.A examination." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: God save my parents!

"God save my parents!" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: O God! Mighty ruler.

"O God! Mighty ruler." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Shakespeare's Hamlet is the play of all ages.

"Shakespeare's Hamlet is the play of all ages." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: President will reach at Lahore on 7 o' clock.

"President will reach at Lahore on 7 o' clock." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Aslam was at 6's and 7's while choosing subjects in B.A.

"Aslam was at 6's and 7's while choosing subjects in B.A." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: This jewellery belongs to 13A.C.

"This jewellery belongs to 13A.C." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: He admitted at last; "Honesty is the best Policy."

"He admitted at last; "Honesty is the best Policy."" is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: a semicolon before the quoted sentence is nonstandard (a comma would be standard), but no option offers a comma, so this is the book's best option.

Correct Answer: He has learnt from his hasty works that; "Haste makes waste."

"He has learnt from his hasty works that; "Haste makes waste."" is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: a semicolon before the quoted sentence is nonstandard (a comma would be standard), but no option offers a comma, so this is the book's best option.

Correct Answer: In fact, he is not appropriated for this job.

"In fact, he is not appropriated for this job." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: the book's word is 'appropriated' (for 'appropriate'), kept verbatim; the punctuation — comma after the introductory phrase — is what is tested here.

Correct Answer: Spain is a beautiful country; the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.

"Spain is a beautiful country; the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: She was, as a matter of fact, mainly interested in showing off her vocabulary.

"She was, as a matter of fact, mainly interested in showing off her vocabulary." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I often go to the seashore and collect rocks there.

"I often go to the seashore and collect rocks there." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Did you know that Agha Gul, the novelist and poet, was also a film critic?

"Did you know that Agha Gul, the novelist and poet, was also a film critic?" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "When," Javaid asked, "will you return my book?"

""When," Javaid asked, "will you return my book?"" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Sana, Faiza, Rashida, Salma and Huma have reached to Lahore.

"Sana, Faiza, Rashida, Salma and Huma have reached to Lahore." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: 'reached to Lahore' is ungrammatical, kept verbatim; the commas in the list are the tested punctuation.

Correct Answer: In fact, he is not appropriated for this job.

"In fact, he is not appropriated for this job." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: this sentence repeats Q18 verbatim in the book, with the same key; 'appropriated' is the book's word error, kept verbatim.

Correct Answer: Oil, which is lighter than water, rises to the surface.

"Oil, which is lighter than water, rises to the surface." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Book key (b) is wrongly punctuated (semicolon and colon around the non-restrictive clause); the correctly punctuated sentence is (c), with commas setting off the clause.

Correct Answer: Madame Noor Jehan was an attractive, gracious lady.

"Madame Noor Jehan was an attractive, gracious lady." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Nice is a word with many meanings, and some of them are contradictory.

"Nice is a word with many meanings, and some of them are contradictory." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Taxicabs that are dirty are illegal in some cities.

"Taxicabs that are dirty are illegal in some cities." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The closet contained worn clothes, old shoes, and dirty hats.

"The closet contained worn clothes, old shoes, and dirty hats." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The uninvited guest wore a dark brown tweed suit.

"The uninvited guest wore a dark brown tweed suit." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: After surviving this ordeal, the trapper felt relieved.

"After surviving this ordeal, the trapper felt relieved." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Mark Twain's early novels, I believe, stand the test of time.

"Mark Twain's early novels, I believe, stand the test of time." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: September 9, 2001, will never be forgotten.

"September 9, 2001, will never be forgotten." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The field was safe enough, wasn't it?

"The field was safe enough, wasn't it?" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: He replied, "I have no idea what you mean."

"He replied, "I have no idea what you mean."" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: After a good washing and grooming, the pup looked like a new dog.

"After a good washing and grooming, the pup looked like a new dog." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The potion contained fruit, biscuits and glue.

"The potion contained fruit, biscuits and glue." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I hope that someday he will learn how to be polite.

"I hope that someday he will learn how to be polite." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: He wanted to know when you will be here.

"He wanted to know when you will be here." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "Well," she said, "you certainly didn't waste any time."

""Well," she said, "you certainly didn't waste any time."" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "Is it almost over?" he asked.

""Is it almost over?" he asked." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "I have had it up to here!" she screamed.

""I have had it up to here!" she screamed." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The song asks, "Would you like to swing on a star?"

"The song asks, "Would you like to swing on a star?"" is the correctly punctuated sentence. Book key (d) has an unbalanced single opening quote and no closing quote; the correctly punctuated sentence is (a), with balanced double quotation marks and the question mark inside them.

Correct Answer: "May I see your I.D. card? the clerk asked.

""May I see your I.D. card? the clerk asked." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: the keyed option omits the closing quotation mark after the question mark, but it is the only option with the correct question mark and reporting clause.

Correct Answer: "Correct me if I am wrong." she said.

""Correct me if I am wrong." she said." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I can't think of what to say.

"I can't think of what to say." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Hina thinks he said that he would go to the movie with her.

"Hina thinks he said that he would go to the movie with her." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Her husband's wallet was full of curious, little items.

"Her husband's wallet was full of curious, little items." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I went to my mother-in-law's house for dinner last night.

"I went to my mother-in-law's house for dinner last night." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: You may not enter Mr. Harris's office without his permission.

"You may not enter Mr. Harris's office without his permission." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The women's dresses are on the second floor.

"The women's dresses are on the second floor." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: It's a shame that had to happen.

"It's a shame that had to happen." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: It's hard to believe that winter is almost here.

"It's hard to believe that winter is almost here." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Her mother' and father's business went bankrupt.

"Her mother' and father's business went bankrupt." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: every option carries a stray apostrophe; this is the only one with the joint-possession 's on 'father's', and the extra mark after 'mother' is kept verbatim.

Correct Answer: It is his word against mine.

"It is his word against mine." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The movie had its desired effect.

"The movie had its desired effect." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Where would I find the men's room?

"Where would I find the men's room?" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Both brothers-in-law's jobs required physical labour.

"Both brothers-in-law's jobs required physical labour." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: It's beauty is unsurpassed.

"It's beauty is unsurpassed." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: 'It's' here is a word error (the possessive 'Its' is meant), but this is the only option without a stray apostrophe, so it is the book's punctuation answer.

Correct Answer: Your right to privacy will not be abused.

"Your right to privacy will not be abused." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: She jumped from a two-story building.

"She jumped from a two-story building." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: You must let down your guard.

"You must let down your guard." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: You certainly have a go-get-it nature.

"You certainly have a go-get-it nature." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: We offer around-the-clock coverage.

"We offer around-the-clock coverage." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Look left and right before you cross the street.

"Look left and right before you cross the street." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The left-handed pitcher threw fastballs at almost 100 miles per hour.

"The left-handed pitcher threw fastballs at almost 100 miles per hour." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The delicious, gooey frosting melted before we could refrigerate the cake.

"The delicious, gooey frosting melted before we could refrigerate the cake." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: This is seventh-grade reading material.

"This is seventh-grade reading material." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: This is a one-family dwelling.

"This is a one-family dwelling." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Do you think he has above-average intelligence?

"Do you think he has above-average intelligence?" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: She owns income-producing property.

"She owns income-producing property." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: That is a well-written letter.

"That is a well-written letter." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: If you are not satisfied, we will give you your money back.

"If you are not satisfied, we will give you your money back." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: This product comes with a money-back guarantee.

"This product comes with a money-back guarantee." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Please let up on your criticisms about my writing.

"Please let up on your criticisms about my writing." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The small plastic lid seems to be missing.

"The small plastic lid seems to be missing." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: What kindly-looking eyes my grandfather had.

"What kindly-looking eyes my grandfather had." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The tree was firmly planted in the ground.

"The tree was firmly planted in the ground." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Your award is richly deserved.

"Your award is richly deserved." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I lived on Bolan Street a few years ago.

"I lived on Bolan Street a few years ago." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Do not swim in that river because of the swift current.

"Do not swim in that river because of the swift current." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "Stop it!" she screamed. "Don't ever do that again."

""Stop it!" she screamed. "Don't ever do that again."" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The West has a milder climate than the East.

"The West has a milder climate than the East." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: You must take the following courses: history, geometry, and French.

"You must take the following courses: history, geometry, and French." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I am asking if you would like to rollerblade together tomorrow.

"I am asking if you would like to rollerblade together tomorrow." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Yes, Jamil, you were right about that answer.

"Yes, Jamil, you were right about that answer." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Wherever we go, people recognize us.

"Wherever we go, people recognize us." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Whenever Ayesha is in town, she visits her sister.

"Whenever Ayesha is in town, she visits her sister." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Shirin enjoys the museum although she cannot afford the entrance fee.

"Shirin enjoys the museum although she cannot afford the entrance fee." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: It may not be the correct part but I bet that it works.

"It may not be the correct part but I bet that it works." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: You are my friend; however, I cannot afford to lend you any more money.

"You are my friend; however, I cannot afford to lend you any more money." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I asked Ali, "Did he ask for his ring back?"

"I asked Ali, "Did he ask for his ring back?"" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: John F. Kennedy, Jr., became a magazine publisher and a pilot before his tragic death.

"John F. Kennedy, Jr., became a magazine publisher and a pilot before his tragic death." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Please contact me if you have any questions.

"Please contact me if you have any questions." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The elections will be held on the first Tuesday of November 2008.

"The elections will be held on the first Tuesday of November 2008." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The elections will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m.

"The elections will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Samad worried about the storm but tried to stay calm and help his family.

"Samad worried about the storm but tried to stay calm and help his family." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I favour green and yellow, and purple is her first choice.

"I favour green and yellow, and purple is her first choice." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I need to locate four states on the map: namely, Minnesota, Michigan, California, and Nevada.

"I need to locate four states on the map: namely, Minnesota, Michigan, California, and Nevada." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: This is the point that Einstein made: You cannot fix a problem with the problem.

"This is the point that Einstein made: You cannot fix a problem with the problem." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: A well-made argument was presented for negotiating a peaceful resolution.

"A well-made argument was presented for negotiating a peaceful resolution." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The argument for negotiating a peaceful resolution was well made.

"The argument for negotiating a peaceful resolution was well made." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: A liberally sprinkled dose of humour. was very much appreciated.

"A liberally sprinkled dose of humour. was very much appreciated." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: the scan shows a possible stray dot after 'humour' in this option; it is kept per key as the only capitalised, terminated option.

Correct Answer: Our liberal-minded clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation.

"Our liberal-minded clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Our liberal minded clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation.

"Our liberal minded clergyman managed to unite the entire congregation." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: the hyphen in 'liberal-minded' is missing from every option; this is the only capitalised, terminated option.

Correct Answer: Jan asked, "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see you later'?"

"Jan asked, "What did Joe mean when he said, 'I will see you later'?"" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: When I noticed that our dog cut its paw, I called the veterinarian right away.

"When I noticed that our dog cut its paw, I called the veterinarian right away." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Just to be sure, I called three more D.V.M.s' offices.

"Just to be sure, I called three more D.V.M.s' offices." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "You're right to be concerned," said one veterinarian. "I would like to take a look at your dog."

""You're right to be concerned," said one veterinarian. "I would like to take a look at your dog."" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Even though it's 30 miles to the town where that D.V.M.'s office is, I wanted to take the drive.

"Even though it's 30 miles to the town where that D.V.M.'s office is, I wanted to take the drive." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The friendly-looking vet examined our dog's paw and suggested we have it bandaged.

"The friendly-looking vet examined our dog's paw and suggested we have it bandaged." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: We had pet insurance but still owed Rs. 400 in co-payment fees.

"We had pet insurance but still owed Rs. 400 in co-payment fees." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Our dog was a semi-invalid for a couple of days until she chewed off the bandage.

"Our dog was a semi-invalid for a couple of days until she chewed off the bandage." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I guess she did what any self-respecting dog would do by grooming herself.

"I guess she did what any self-respecting dog would do by grooming herself." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The dog has fully re-covered although I will never be the same.

"The dog has fully re-covered although I will never be the same." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: 're-covered' is kept verbatim (the intended word is 'recovered'); it is the only capitalised, terminated, hyphenated option.

Correct Answer: I have learned that it's better to be proactive than to have regrets.

"I have learned that it's better to be proactive than to have regrets." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: She thought she knew everything about her mother but found out two years ago that her mother had been married before.

"She thought she knew everything about her mother but found out two years ago that her mother had been married before." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "She will go to her grave with some secrets," thought Amna.

""She will go to her grave with some secrets," thought Amna." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "Do you understand her need for privacy?" she asked her husband.

""Do you understand her need for privacy?" she asked her husband." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The alarm clock went off at four o'clock.

"The alarm clock went off at four o'clock." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Many people dread the 15th of April.

"Many people dread the 15th of April." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The check was written for Rs.13,348.

"The check was written for Rs.13,348." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The check was written for thirteen thousand, three hundred forty eight rupees.

"The check was written for thirteen thousand, three hundred forty eight rupees." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: 'forty eight' is unhyphenated in every option; this option's comma after 'thousand' and final period make it the book's answer.

Correct Answer: You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.

"You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: We ask; therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.

"We ask; therefore, that you keep this matter confidential." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The order was requested six weeks ago; therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now.

"The order was requested six weeks ago; therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The Pakistani flag has two colours, namely, white and green.

"The Pakistani flag has two colours, namely, white and green." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Clothes are often made from synthetic material, for instance, rayon.

"Clothes are often made from synthetic material, for instance, rayon." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: If you believe in magic, magical things will happen; but if you do not believe in magic, you will discover nothing to be magical.

"If you believe in magic, magical things will happen; but if you do not believe in magic, you will discover nothing to be magical." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: The orchestra, excluding the violin section, was not up to par.

"The orchestra, excluding the violin section, was not up to par." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I need a few items at the store: clothespins, a bottle opener, and napkins.

"I need a few items at the store: clothespins, a bottle opener, and napkins." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I answered the phone, but no one seemed to be on the other end of the line.

"I answered the phone, but no one seemed to be on the other end of the line." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I wanted a cup of coffee, not a glass of milk.

"I wanted a cup of coffee, not a glass of milk." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Both a & b

"Both a & b" is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: both (a) (comma before 'namely') and (b) (semicolon before 'namely') are defensible, so the book's answer is 'Both a & b'.

Correct Answer: If you can possibly arrange it, please visit us; but if you cannot, let us know.

"If you can possibly arrange it, please visit us; but if you cannot, let us know." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I gave her a lot of money while we were married; hence, I do not wish to pay her a dime in alimony.

"I gave her a lot of money while we were married; hence, I do not wish to pay her a dime in alimony." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: We have a variety of desserts, for instance, apple pie.

"We have a variety of desserts, for instance, apple pie." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: He has friends from Karachi and Peshawar, and Lahore is his home city.

"He has friends from Karachi and Peshawar, and Lahore is his home city." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I would, therefore, like to have an explanation for the missing cash.

"I would, therefore, like to have an explanation for the missing cash." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Nature lovers will appreciate seeing whales, sea lions, and pelicans.

"Nature lovers will appreciate seeing whales, sea lions, and pelicans." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: She said, "Bees are not the only insects that sting."

"She said, "Bees are not the only insects that sting."" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: "You must understand," he pleaded, "That I need more time to pay you."

""You must understand," he pleaded, "That I need more time to pay you."" is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: the capital 'That' after 'pleaded,' is a capitalisation slip kept verbatim; the quotation and comma placement are otherwise correct.

Correct Answer: Mark Paxton, the vice president of the company, embezzled over one million rupees.

"Mark Paxton, the vice president of the company, embezzled over one million rupees." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: If you can possibly arrange it, please visit us; but if you cannot, let us know.

"If you can possibly arrange it, please visit us; but if you cannot, let us know." is the correctly punctuated sentence. Note: this sentence repeats Q139 verbatim in the book, with the same key.

Correct Answer: The president of the United States wields much power.

"The president of the United States wields much power." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: I enjoy summer more than any other season.

"I enjoy summer more than any other season." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Employees of the company were laid off with little hope of returning to work.

"Employees of the company were laid off with little hope of returning to work." is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: My dear Mr. Shahid:

"My dear Mr. Shahid:" is the correctly punctuated sentence.

Correct Answer: Sincerely yours,

"Sincerely yours," is the correctly punctuated sentence.