Practice quiz · by a Quizcard user

ACT English: Grammar, Punctuation and Rhetoric Rules — quiz

20 multiple-choice questions covering Commas, Apostrophes, Semicolons, Colons, Dashes. One answer each; you get a score at the end and the explanation for every question. No account needed.

Updated 2026-11-03. Keys 1–4 pick an answer, Enter moves on. Redo it any time, in order or shuffled.

The questions

Answers and explanations are shown after you finish.

1. Commas

   A student writes: 'The recipe calls for flour, sugar and butter.' Which revision best follows ACT comma conventions for items in a series?

   • The recipe calls for flour, sugar, and butter.
   • The recipe calls for flour sugar, and butter.
   • The recipe calls for flour; sugar; and butter.
   • The recipe calls for flour, sugar and, butter.
2. Commas

   Which sentence correctly punctuates the nonessential clause?

   • My car which is red needs, a wash.
   • My car, which is red, needs a wash.
   • My car which is red, needs a wash.
   • My car, which is red needs a wash.
3. Commas

   Identify the sentence that correctly fixes a comma splice in 'I was tired, I went to bed early.'

   • I was tired, so I went to bed early.
   • I was tired so I went to bed early.
   • I was tired, I went to bed early.
   • I was tired; so, I went to bed early.
4. Commas

   A sentence reads: 'The lights went out, the power had failed.' Which revision is NOT a correct way to fix this comma splice?

   • The lights went out because the power had failed.
   • The lights went out, and the power had failed.
   • The lights went out; the power had failed.
   • The lights went out, however the power had failed.
5. Apostrophes

   Which sentence shows the correct possessive form for a singular noun ending in 's', per ACT style?

   • Jameses book is on the table.
   • James's book is on the table.
   • Jame's book is on the table.
   • James' book is on the table.
6. Apostrophes

   Which sentence correctly shows plural possession for a regular plural noun?

   • The dog's leashes were tangled.
   • The dogs leashes' were tangled.
   • The dogs's leashes were tangled.
   • The dogs' leashes were tangled.
7. Apostrophes

   Which sentence uses 'its' or 'it's' correctly?

   • The committee reached it's decision.
   • Its time to go home.
   • The company announced it's new policy.
   • The cat licked its paw.
8. Semicolons

   Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

   • She finished her homework, she went to bed.
   • She finished her homework; before going to bed.
   • She finished her homework; she went to bed.
   • She loves painting; and drawing.
9. Colons

   Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

   • She needed one thing: courage.
   • My plan is to: finish early.
   • The team includes: Sam, Alex, and Jo.
   • The ingredients are: eggs, milk, and flour.
10. Dashes

    Which sentence correctly uses a pair of dashes?

    • My friend who just moved here — loves hiking.
    • My friend, who just moved here — loves hiking.
    • My friend — who just moved here — loves hiking.
    • My friend — who just moved here, loves hiking.
11. Dashes

    Which sentence correctly sets off nonessential information using matching punctuation marks?

    • The chef (known for his desserts, left the restaurant.
    • The chef, known for his desserts — left the restaurant.
    • The chef — known for his desserts, left the restaurant.
    • The chef — known for his desserts — left the restaurant.
12. Sentence Structure & Fragments

    Which of the following is a dependent clause rather than a complete independent clause?

    • The train arrived late.
    • She left early.
    • He studied hard.
    • Because she left early.
13. Sentence Structure & Fragments

    Which sentence correctly fixes the run-on: 'The sun set the sky turned orange'?

    • The sun set and, the sky turned orange.
    • The sun set the sky, turned orange.
    • The sun set, and the sky turned orange.
    • The sun set, the sky turned orange.
14. Subject-Verb Agreement

    Choose the verb that correctly completes: 'The collection of rare coins ___ valuable.'

    • are
    • being
    • were
    • is
15. Subject-Verb Agreement

    Which sentence correctly treats a collective noun according to ACT conventions?

    • The team are celebrating their win.
    • The family have decided to move.
    • The committee were split on the issue.
    • The jury has reached its verdict.
16. Pronoun Case & Agreement

    Which sentence uses pronoun case correctly?

    • She and I went to the concert.
    • Her and I went to the concert.
    • Her and me went to the concert.
    • She and me went to the concert.
17. Pronoun Case & Agreement

    Choose the correct pronoun: 'To ___ did you give the book?'

    • who
    • whoever
    • whom
    • whomever
18. Modifiers

    Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

    • She almost drove her kids to school every day.
    • He finished the marathon, exhausted but proud.
    • She drove her kids to school almost every day.
    • Walking quickly, she caught the bus.
19. Parallel Structure

    Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?

    • He likes running, to swim, and biking.
    • He likes running, swimming, and biking.
    • He likes run, swim, and biking.
    • He likes to run, swimming, and bike.
20. Transitions

    Which transition best completes: 'The team practiced all week; ___, they lost the game.'

    • as a result
    • therefore
    • however
    • furthermore