The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2

In each pair, click on the sentence that is punctuated correctly.

For help with this exercise, see Colons, Semicolons, Commas.

Example

1 of 10

Question

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◯ Some examples of reptiles are lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and turtles.
◯ Some examples of reptiles are: lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and turtles.
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 1

2 of 10

Question

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◯ There are only three seasons here; winter, July, and August.
◯ There are only three seasons here: winter, July, and August.
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 2

3 of 10

Question

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◯ For example, Teddy Roosevelt once referred to the wolf as “the beast of waste and desolation.”
◯ For example: Teddy Roosevelt once referred to the wolf as “the beast of waste and desolation.”
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 3

4 of 10

Question

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◯ Remember the words of Thomas Gray, “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”
◯ Remember the words of Thomas Gray: “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 4

5 of 10

Question

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◯ On July 10, send shipments of chocolate to our distributors in the following cities; Albany, New Haven, Burlington, and Boston.
◯ On July 10, send shipments of chocolate to our distributors in the following cities: Albany, New Haven, Burlington, and Boston.
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 5

6 of 10

Question

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◯ The office work includes typing reports and briefing materials, editing drafts for punctuation and grammar, and answering the phone.
◯ The office work includes: typing reports and briefing materials, editing drafts for punctuation and grammar, and answering the phone.
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 6

7 of 10

Question

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◯ W. Somerset Maugham points out that perfection has a significant defect, “It is apt to be dull.”
◯ W. Somerset Maugham points out that perfection has a significant defect: “It is apt to be dull.”
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 7

8 of 10

Question

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◯ Veterans exposed to Agent Orange went to court to demand justice; justice for their wives, who suffered with the veterans in their illnesses, and justice for their children, who suffered damaging illnesses of their own.
◯ Veterans exposed to Agent Orange went to court to demand justice: justice for their wives, who suffered with the veterans in their illnesses, and justice for their children, who suffered damaging illnesses of their own.
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 8

9 of 10

Question

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◯ Before the wedding, a counselor had cautioned Hassim and Kim about dealing with the problems posed by their diverse cultural backgrounds; different national origins, religious beliefs, and cultural customs.
◯ Before the wedding, a counselor had cautioned Hassim and Kim about dealing with the problems posed by their diverse cultural backgrounds: different national origins, religious beliefs, and cultural customs.
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 9

10 of 10

Question

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◯ Historian Robert Kee looks to the past for the source of the political troubles in Ireland, “If blame is to be apportioned for today’s situation in Northern Ireland, it should be laid not at the door of men of today but of history.”
◯ Historian Robert Kee looks to the past for the source of the political troubles in Ireland: “If blame is to be apportioned for today’s situation in Northern Ireland, it should be laid not at the door of men of today but of history.”
The colon, the semicolon, and the comma 2 – 10