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. Identify the adverb in the sentence: 'She quickly finished her homework.'

A. She
B. Finished
C. Quickly
D. Homework

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: Quickly.' Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. In this sentence, 'quickly' describes how she finished her homework. Choice A 'She' is a pronoun, choice B 'Finished' is the verb, and choice D 'Homework' is a noun, making them incorrect choices for adverbs.

3. Though the term nomad is often associated with early populations, nomadic cultures exist today, especially in the mountains of Europe and Asia. Which of the following punctuation marks is used incorrectly?

A. the comma after populations
B. the comma after today
C. the apostrophe in mountain’s
D. the period after Asia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The apostrophe in 'mountain’s' is used incorrectly. The word should be 'mountains' without the apostrophe because it is a plural noun, not possessive. The other choices (A, B, D) have the correct usage of punctuation marks and do not contain errors related to punctuation.

4. Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation for a possessive noun?

A. The baby's bibs were covered in pureed food.
B. Sarah's and Claire's business was thriving in its new location.
C. A multitude of clients' complaints filled the comment box.
D. A busy worker's best tool is a good plan.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C, 'A multitude of clients' complaints filled the comment box,' is the correct answer. 'Clients'' is the plural possessive form to indicate that the complaints belong to the clients. In Choice A, 'baby's' is correctly punctuated to show the bibs belong to the baby. Choice B, 'Sarah's and Claire's business was thriving in its new location,' incorrectly uses an apostrophe before 'business,' making it possessive twice. Choice D, 'A busy worker's best tool is a good plan,' correctly shows possession of the best tool by the busy worker.

5. Which of the following types of language is acceptable in a research paper?

A. Colloquialisms
B. Contractions
C. Relative pronouns
D. Second-person point of view

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Relative pronouns are acceptable in a research paper for connecting clauses. Colloquialisms (choice A) are informal expressions that are not suitable for academic writing. Contractions (choice B) are considered too casual for a research paper. The second-person point of view (choice D) should be avoided in research papers as it can make the writing less objective and scholarly.