which of the following uses commas in a series correctly

ATI TEAS 7

English and Language Usage TEAS

1. Which of the following uses commas in a series correctly?

A. Jericka went to the store for milk, bread, and eggs.
B. For breakfast, Jason wanted to make French toast, bacon, and eggs.
C. Aj had a lot to do the next day, including homework, hockey practice, and chores.
D. Paz's mom, dad, and sister would come to watch his game.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Option A is the correct answer as it uses commas to separate items in a series ('milk, bread, and eggs'). In option B, the comma after 'bacon' is unnecessary. Option C correctly uses commas to separate the items in the series ('homework, hockey practice, and chores'). Option D incorrectly omits commas between 'mom' and 'dad,' and 'dad' and 'sister,' making it incorrect for a series of three or more items.

2. Which of the following punctuation marks correctly completes the sentence below? "She bought several items for the trip____ a tent, a sleeping bag, and a flashlight."

A. ;
B. :
C. ,
D. .

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct punctuation mark to use in this sentence is the colon (:) because it is used to introduce a list. In this case, the list of items she bought for the trip includes a tent, a sleeping bag, and a flashlight. A semicolon (;) is not appropriate here because it is typically used to connect independent clauses. A comma (,) is not suitable as it would create a comma splice error. A period (.) is incorrect as it signifies the end of a sentence, which is not the intended purpose in this context.

3. Identify the type of sentence: 'The sky is blue, and the grass is green.'

A. Simple sentence
B. Compound sentence
C. Complex sentence
D. Compound-complex sentence

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, compound sentence. This sentence consists of two independent clauses ('The sky is blue' and 'the grass is green') that are joined by the coordinating conjunction 'and.' A simple sentence contains a single independent clause. In contrast, a complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. A compound-complex sentence consists of multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause, which are not present in the given sentence, making choices A, C, and D incorrect.

4. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

A. One of my favorite places to visit is San Francisco, California, and I'll never forget my trip there from June 2011.
B. One of my favorite places to visit is San Francisco, California, and I'll never forget my trip there from June 2011.
C. One of my favorite places to visit is San Francisco, California, and I'll never forget my trip there from June 2011.
D. One of my favorite places to visit is San Francisco, California, and I'll never forget my trip there from June, 2011.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the correct answer. The sentence is punctuated correctly with commas separating the city, state, and the rest of the sentence. In Choice A, there should be a comma after 'California' to correctly separate the city and state. Choice B lacks a comma after 'California,' creating a run-on sentence. Choice D incorrectly uses a comma before the year '2011,' which disrupts the flow of the sentence.

5. In which of the following situations would you use formal language?

A. Texting a friend
B. A family reunion
C. Skyping your grandparents
D. At a Parent-Teacher meeting

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: At a Parent-Teacher meeting. A Parent-Teacher meeting is a formal setting where professional communication is expected. Using formal language in this context shows respect and professionalism. Choices A, B, and C involve informal or casual situations where using formal language may not be necessary or appropriate. Texting a friend, attending a family reunion, or Skyping with grandparents are typically more informal interactions where a more relaxed communication style is acceptable.