wsccenglish.weebly.comwsccenglish.weebly.com/.../2/1/9/3/21931106/semicolons.docx · web...

P-2 Semicolon Review

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence that contains no errors in the use of semicolons. (Note that some of

the sentences may not require a semicolon.)

1.

a. Mythology usually deals with divinities; in contrast, folktales generally focus on

ordinary people, even if they have supernatural elements.

b. Mythology usually deals with divinities, in contrast folktales generally focus on


c. Mythology usually deals with divinities, in contrast; folktales generally focus on


ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=63>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>

2.

a. The four mythologies that have influenced European culture are Greek and Roman

mythology, involving the gods of Mount Olympus, Mesopotamian mythology, from

the Middle East, Egyptian mythology, in which the sun plays a central role, and

Norse mythology from Scandinavia.

b. The four mythologies that have influenced European culture are Greek and Roman

mythology, involving the gods of Mount Olympus; Mesopotamian mythology, from

the Middle East; Egyptian mythology, in which the sun plays a central role, and


c. The four mythologies that have influenced European culture are Greek and Roman

mythology, involving the gods of Mount Olympus; Mesopotamian mythology, from

the Middle East; Egyptian mythology, in which the sun plays a central role; and


ANS: c

REF: The correct answer is c.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.



In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>

3.

a. The ancient Greeks and Romans shared gods; although they gave the gods different

names, for example, the goddess of love was Aphrodite to the ancient Greeks but

Venus to the ancient Romans.

b. The ancient Greeks and Romans shared gods, although they gave the gods different

names, for example; the goddess of love was Aphrodite to the ancient Greeks but


c. The ancient Greeks and Romans shared gods, although they gave the gods different

names; for example, the goddess of love was Aphrodite to the ancient Greeks but


ANS: c







4.

a. Both Greeks and Romans called the god of the sun Apollo; but they had different

names for the goddess of the hunt; Artemis and Diana, respectively.

b. Both Greeks and Romans called the god of the sun Apollo, but they had different

names for the goddess of the hunt: Artemis and Diana, respectively.

c. Both Greeks and Romans called the god of the sun Apollo, but they had different

names for the goddess of the hunt, Artemis; and Diana; respectively.

ANS: c







5.

a. The classical goddess of war was known to Greeks as Athena and to Romans as

Minerva; in addition, the Greeks and Romans also had a god of war—Ares, or Mars.

b. The classical goddess of war was known to Greeks as Athena; and to Romans as

Minerva; in addition, the Greeks and Romans also had a god of war—Ares, or Mars.

c. The classical goddess of war was known to Greeks as Athena and to Romans as

Minerva, in addition, the Greeks and Romans also had a god of war—Ares, or Mars.

ANS: a







6.

a. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Zeus, or Jupiter, was in charge of the

sky, Poseidon, or Neptune, was god of the sea, and Hades, or Pluto, was god of the

underworld.

b. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Zeus, or Jupiter, was in charge of the

sky; Poseidon, or Neptune, was god of the sea; and Hades, or Pluto, was god of the

underworld.

c. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Zeus, or Jupiter; was in charge of the

sky; Poseidon, or Neptune; was god of the sea, and Hades, or Pluto; was god of the

underworld.

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.






7.

a. Dionysus was god of the vine and, therefore, of wine, his Roman name was Bacchus.

b. Dionysus was god of the vine, and; therefore, of wine, his Roman name was Bacchus.

c. Dionysus was god of the vine and, therefore, of wine; his Roman name was Bacchus.

ANS: c







8.

a. Mesopotamian mythology developed among the Sumerians and then evolved through

the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

b. Mesopotamian mythology developed among the Sumerians; and then evolved

through the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

c. Mesopotamian mythology developed among the Sumerians and then evolved through

the Akkadians; Babylonians; and Assyrians.

ANS: a







9.

a. Among the better-known figures of Egyptian mythology are the husband-wife,

brother-sister pair Osiris and Isis, the former is god of the underworld and judge of

the dead, while the latter is goddess of love.

b. Among the better-known figures of Egyptian mythology are the husband-wife,

brother-sister pair Osiris and Isis; the former is god of the underworld and judge of

the dead; while the latter is goddess of love.

c. Among the better-known figures of Egyptian mythology are the husband-wife,

brother-sister pair Osiris and Isis; the former is god of the underworld and judge of

the dead, while the latter is goddess of love.

ANS: c







10.

a. The in Norse theory of the universe included Asgard, the realm of the gods, Midgard,

the realm of humans, Hel, the underworld, and Valhalla, where slain warriors go to

live with the immortal gods.

b. The Norse theory of the universe included Asgard, the realm of the gods; Midgard,

the realm of humans; Hel, the underworld; and Valhalla, where slain warriors go to


c. The Norse theory of the universe included Asgard, the realm of the gods, Midgard,

the realm of humans, Hel, the underworld; and Valhalla, where slain warriors go to


ANS: b







P-2a Semicolons between Independent Clauses

Multiple Choice

Some of the following sentences need a semicolon to separate independent clauses.

Select the correct instruction.

1. Before the Industrial Revolution in the seventeenth century, sources of power were

limited, specifically, humans relied on themselves, animals, wind, and water.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the comma between limited and specifically with a semicolon.

c. Replace the comma after century with a semicolon.

ANS: b







2. Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729) and James Watt (1736-1819) developed the steam

engine. Many years later, George Stephenson (1781-1848) used a steam engine in a

vehicle that rode on iron rails.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the comma after later with a semicolon.

c. Put a semicolon after vehicle.

ANS: a







3. Industrialization thrived in England, where factories replaced home manufacturing,

industrialization came into its own, though, in the United States.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the comma between England and where with a semicolon.

c. Replace the comma between manufacturing and industrialization with a semicolon.

ANS: c







4. One key inventor in the United States was Robert Fulton; who brought affordable

steamboat travel to New York state; another was Cyrus Hall McCormick, who invented

the indispensable reaper.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the semicolon between Fulton and who with a comma.

c. Replace the semicolon between state and another with a comma.

ANS: b







5. The most important accomplishment in the development of railroads in the United

States was the completion of the first transcontinental track. In May 1869, seven years

after President Lincoln had signed the Pacific Railway Act, the final spike for it was

hammered into place in Promontory Point, Oregon.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the comma after 1869 with a semicolon.

c. Replace the comma after Act with a semicolon.

ANS: a







6. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, perhaps the greatest invention of all

time, following up on Bell’s invention, Theodore Newton Vail envisioned all parts of the

country being linked by one telephone system.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the comma between telephone and perhaps with a semicolon.

c. Replace the comma after time with a semicolon.

ANS: c







7. In 1878, Thomas Alva Edison invented the carbon microphone, it was used in every

telephone until the 1980s.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the comma after 1878 with a semicolon.

c. Replace the comma after microphone with a semicolon.

ANS: c







8. Kingpins in brick-and-mortar retail operations included John Wanamaker and Frank

Winfield Woolworth, their successful counterparts in mail-order retail were Aaron

Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, and Alvah Curtis Roebuck.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the comma after Woolworth with a semicolon.

c. Replace the comma between Ward and Richard with a semicolon.

ANS: b







9. Three men were major players in the early packaged goods industry: W. K. Kellogg

and C. W. Post produced cereal, and King Camp Gillette packaged safety razor blades.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the colon after industry with a semicolon.

c. Replace the comma after cereal with a semicolon.

ANS: a







10. Even in the early days of consumer marketing, brand identification was important, for

example, Procter and Gamble launched Ivory soap and Crisco vegetable shortening.

a. Leave as is.

b. Replace the comma after important with a semicolon.

c. Replace the comma after marketing with a semicolon.

ANS: b







P-2b Semicolons in a Series with Commas

Multiple Choice

Some of the following sentences have errors involving semicolons in a series. Select the

answer that uses punctuation correctly. If the original sentence is correct, select c. No

change.

1. Before the Industrial Revolution, sources of power were limited to wind, which could

move sailing ships; water, which could turn wheels; humans, who could push and pull;

and animals, which could push and pull as well as transport people.

a. Before the Industrial Revolution, sources of power were limited to wind, which could

move sailing ships, water, which could turn wheels, humans, who could push and

pull, and animals, which could push and pull as well as transport people.

b. Before the Industrial Revolution, sources of power were limited to wind; which could

move sailing ships; water; which could turn wheels; humans; who could push and

pull; and animals, which could push and pull as well as transport people.

c. No change.

ANS: c







2. Three inventors who worked on the steam engine were Thomas Newcomen (1663-

1729); James Watt (1736-1819); and George Stephenson (1781-1848).

a. Three inventors who worked on the steam engine were Thomas Newcomen (1663-

1729), James Watt (1736-1819), and George Stephenson (1781-1848).

b. Three inventors who worked on the steam engine were Thomas Newcomen, (1663-

1729); James Watt, (1736-1819); and George Stephenson, (1781-1848).

c. No change.

ANS: a







3. Industrialization thrived in England, where factories replaced home manufacturing, in

France, which started science, technology, and engineering schools, and in the United

States, which had a vast pool of laborers and consumers.

a. Industrialization thrived in England, where factories replaced home manufacturing; in

France, which started science, technology, and engineering schools, and in the United


b. Industrialization thrived in England, where factories replaced home manufacturing; in

France, which started science, technology, and engineering schools; and in the United


c. No change.

ANS: b







4. Inventors who were crucial to U.S. industrialization included Robert Fulton, who

brought affordable steamboat travel to New York state, Eli Whitney, who still gets credit

for inventing the cotton gin, and Cyrus Hall McCormick, who invented the indispensable

reaper.

a. Inventors who were crucial to U.S. industrialization included Robert Fulton, who

brought affordable steamboat travel to New York state; Eli Whitney, who still gets

credit for inventing the cotton gin, and Cyrus Hall McCormick, who invented the

indispensable reaper.

b. Inventors who were crucial to U.S. industrialization included Robert Fulton, who

brought affordable steamboat travel to New York state; Eli Whitney, who still gets

credit for inventing the cotton gin; and Cyrus Hall McCormick, who invented the

indispensable reaper.

c. No change.

ANS: b







5. Following the lead of Thomas Edison’s company, several other American companies

created their own research-and-development labs, including DuPont, the chemical

company, Parke-Davis, the pharmaceutical company, and Eastman Kodak, the film and

camera company.

a. Following the lead of Thomas Edison’s company, several other American companies

created their own research-and-development labs, including DuPont, the chemical

company; Parke-Davis, the pharmaceutical company; and Eastman Kodak, the film

and camera company.

b. Following the lead of Thomas Edison’s company, several other American companies

created their own research-and-development labs, including DuPont; the chemical

company; Parke-Davis; the pharmaceutical company; and Eastman Kodak; the film

and camera company.

c. No change.

ANS: a







6. Samuel F. B. Morse, who invented the telegraph, Alexander Graham Bell, who

developed the telephone, perhaps the greatest invention of all time, and Theodore Newton

Vail, who foresaw a nationwide telephone system, were responsible for a revolution in

communications.

a. Samuel F. B. Morse, who invented the telegraph; Alexander Graham Bell, who

developed the telephone, perhaps the greatest invention of all time; and Theodore

Newton Vail, who foresaw a nationwide telephone system, were responsible for a

revolution in communications.

b. Samuel F. B. Morse, who invented the telegraph; Alexander Graham Bell, who

developed the telephone; perhaps the greatest invention of all time; and Theodore

Newton Vail, who foresaw a nationwide telephone system; were responsible for a

revolution in communications.

c. No change.

ANS: a







7. Among the top entrepreneurs in nineteenth-century America were the financier John

Pierpont Morgan, the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, and the industrialist John D.

Rockefeller.

a. Among the top entrepreneurs in nineteenth-century America were the financier John

Pierpont Morgan; the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie; and the industrialist John D.

Rockefeller.

b. Among the top entrepreneurs in nineteenth-century America were; the financier John

Pierpont Morgan; the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, and the industrialist John D.

Rockefeller.

c. No change.

ANS: c







8. On the retail scene appeared John Wanamaker, who created the first department store,

Frank Winfield Woolworth, who appealed to those looking for lower-priced

merchandise; and Aaron Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, and Alvah Curtis Roebuck,

who developed the mail-order business.

a. On the retail scene appeared John Wanamaker, who created the first department store,


merchandise, and Aaron Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, and Alvah Curtis

Roebuck; who developed the mail-order business.

b. On the retail scene appeared John Wanamaker, who created the first department store;


merchandise; and Aaron Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, and Alvah Curtis

Roebuck, who developed the mail-order business.

c. No change.

ANS: b







9. Packaged goods began to sweep the market through the innovations and marketing of

W. K. Kellogg and C. W. Post, who produced cereal; the two attorneys who introduced

bottled Coca-Cola to America; and King Camp Gillette, who brought razor blades to the

multitudes.

a. Packaged goods began to sweep the market through the innovations and marketing of

W. K. Kellogg and C. W. Post, who produced cereal, the two attorneys who

introduced bottled Coca-Cola to America, and King Camp Gillette, who brought

razor blades to the multitudes.

b. Packaged goods began to sweep the market through the innovations and marketing of

W. K. Kellogg and C. W. Post; who produced cereal; the two attorneys; who

introduced bottled Coca-Cola to America; and King Camp Gillette; who brought

razor blades to the multitudes.

c. No change.

ANS: c







10. The next step in marketing was establishing brands, the route followed for products

such as Ivory soap; Crisco vegetable shortening; and Sunlight laundry detergent.

a. The next step in marketing was establishing brands, the route followed for products

such as Ivory soap, Crisco vegetable shortening, and Sunlight laundry detergent.

b. The next step in marketing was establishing brands, the route followed for products

such as Ivory, soap; Crisco, vegetable shortening; and Sunlight, laundry detergent.

c. No change.

ANS: a







wsccenglish.weebly.comwsccenglish.weebly.com/.../2/1/9/3/21931106/semicolons.docx · web...

Documents