Test yourself

Choose the correct answer.

1. Even though Scott had enjoyed the carefree bachelor life(,/;) he preferred marriage.
   

   Answer 1:

   a. comma (,) b. semicolon (;)
2. The salesperson was friendly while bringing me the nine pairs of shoes to try on(,/;) however, he became peevish when I didn’t buy any of them.
   

   Answer 2:

   a. comma (,) b. semicolon (;)
3. I wrote letters to[ ] my mother, the cable company and my friend Renée, who lives in Charlottetown.
   

   Answer 3:

   a. no punctuation required b. colon (:)
4. Wendy unwrapped her first Werther’s chocolate candy, popped it into her mouth and entered into a state she had never before experienced(;/:) nirvana.
   

   Answer 4:

   a. semicolon (;) b. colon (:)
5. This year my boss’s New Year’s resolutions were[ ] to stop playing practical jokes on his staff and to develop a sense of style that goes beyond the T-shirt.
   

   Answer 5:

   a. no punctuation required b. colon (:)
6. Maura wanted three things for her children(;/:) a solid education, one that would serve them well for the rest of their lives(,/;) good health, both mental and physical(,/;) and a large dose of common sense to inform all their decisions.
   

   Answer 6a:

   a. semicolon (;) b. colon (:)
   

   Answer 6b:

   a. comma (,) b. semicolon (;)
   

   Answer 6c:

   a. comma (,) b. semicolon (;)