Punctuation
25 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 25 free Functional Skills English L1 practice questions on Punctuation, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
Punctuation: example questions & answers
12 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise all 25 Punctuation questions free in the browser, with instant feedback on every answer.
Which sentence has correct punctuation?
- AShes going to the store
- BShe's going to the store
- CShe's going to the store.
- DBoth B and C✓
Answer: 'She's' uses apostrophe to show 'is' is shortened. A period is needed at the end.
What is the correct use of a comma here?
- AI like apples oranges and bananas
- BI like apples, oranges, and bananas✓
- CI like apples oranges, and bananas
- DI like, apples oranges and bananas
Answer: Items in a list need commas after each item, including before 'and'.
Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?
- AThe cats toys are everywhere
- BThe cat's toys are everywhere✓
- CThe cats' toys are everywhere
- DThe cats toys' are everywhere
Answer: With singular 'cat', use 'cat's' to show possession. 'Cats'' would be used for multiple cats.
What punctuation mark separates independent clauses?
- AComma
- BSemicolon✓
- CColon
- DApostrophe
Answer: A semicolon (;) separates two independent clauses that are closely related.
Which sentence has correct punctuation?
- AWhat do you want, said Tom
- B"What do you want?" said Tom✓
- C"What do you want" said Tom?
- DWhat do you want? said Tom.
Answer: Direct speech needs quotation marks, with punctuation inside the marks.
What is the function of parentheses ( )?
- ATo show ownership
- BTo add extra information✓
- CTo show plural nouns
- DTo indicate a question
Answer: Parentheses add extra or clarifying information that could be removed without changing the main meaning.
Which sentence has correct punctuation?
- AShe went to London; Paris; and Rome
- BShe went to London, Paris, and Rome✓
- CShe went to London: Paris: and Rome
- DShe went to London-Paris-and Rome
Answer: Items in a simple list use commas, not semicolons or colons.
When do you use quotation marks?
- ATo show ownership
- BTo indicate direct speech or exact words✓
- CTo show plural words
- DTo indicate a question
Answer: Quotation marks show direct speech or the exact words someone said or wrote.
What punctuation separates a dependent clause from an independent clause?
- ASemicolon
- BComma✓
- CColon
- DApostrophe
Answer: A comma separates dependent clauses from independent clauses.
Which sentence has correct use of a colon?
- AI need: milk, eggs, and cheese
- BI need the following: milk, eggs, and cheese✓
- CI need milk: eggs: and cheese
- DI: need milk eggs and cheese
Answer: A colon introduces a list or explanation, usually after a complete clause.
How should this compound sentence be punctuated?
- AI went to the park I played football
- BI went to the park, I played football
- CI went to the park; I played football
- DI went to the park, and I played football✓
Answer: Two independent clauses need a comma and a conjunction, or a semicolon alone.
Which possessive form is correct?
- AThe dogs bowl
- BThe dog's bowl✓
- CThe dogs' bowl
- DThe dog bowl's
Answer: 'The dog's bowl' shows the bowl belongs to one dog using an apostrophe before the 's'.