PSAT Reading and Writing Quiz: Punctuation
20 questions · exam conditions
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PunctuationQuestion 1 of 20

In a short article about urban wildlife, a writer drafted the line "Many raccoons return to the same alley each  " The writer wants the sentence to follow Standard English conventions.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

night; they know which bins are unlocked.
night, they know which bins are unlocked.
night because they know which bins are unlocked.
night, because; they know which bins are unlocked.
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PSAT Reading and Writing Quiz

PSAT Reading and Writing Quiz: Punctuation

Practice Punctuation in PSAT Reading and Writing with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Punctuation, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for PSAT Reading and Writing.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

In a short article about urban wildlife, a writer drafted the line "Many raccoons return to the same alley each  " The writer wants the sentence to follow Standard English conventions.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. night; they know which bins are unlocked.
  2. night, they know which bins are unlocked.
  3. night because they know which bins are unlocked. (correct answer)
  4. night, because; they know which bins are unlocked.
Explanation: The correct choice adds the subordinating conjunction "because," which turns the second part into a dependent clause explaining why the raccoons return. A dependent clause that follows the independent clause attaches directly, with no punctuation between them, so "night because they know which bins are unlocked" is smooth and standard. The version with a semicolon treats "they know which bins are unlocked" as a complete, independent sentence; a semicolon can only join two independent clauses, and this reason clause does not need to stand alone here. The comma-only version creates a comma splice, since a comma alone cannot join two complete thoughts. The version with ", because;" piles up punctuation incorrectly: the semicolon wrongly separates "because" from the clause it introduces, breaking the connection the conjunction is supposed to make. Only the choice that adds "because" with no extra punctuation follows the conventions of Standard English.

Question 2

__ presentation earned them first place.

Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. Mia and Carlos'
  2. Mia's and Carlos's
  3. Mia and Carlos's (correct answer)
  4. Mia's and Carlos'
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of possessive forms when multiple people share ownership of something. When two or more people jointly own or are responsible for the same item, you need to show that shared possession correctly. Choice C, "Mia and Carlos's," is correct because it follows the rule for joint possession: add an apostrophe and "s" only to the last name in the series. Since Mia and Carlos worked together on one presentation that belongs to both of them, you treat them as a unit and make only the final name possessive. Choice A, "Mia and Carlos'," is incorrect because it uses only an apostrophe after Carlos. This form would only be appropriate if Carlos were a plural noun ending in "s," which it isn't—Carlos is a singular proper noun. Choice B, "Mia's and Carlos's," is wrong because it makes both names possessive. This form suggests separate ownership—that Mia has her own presentation and Carlos has his own presentation. Since the sentence mentions "presentation" (singular), this indicates one shared project, not two separate ones. Choice D, "Mia's and Carlos'," has the same problem as choice B (indicating separate ownership rather than joint ownership) plus the additional error of using the wrong possessive form for Carlos. Remember this key distinction: for joint possession, make only the last name possessive (Tom and Jerry's house). For separate possession, make both names possessive (Tom's and Jerry's houses). The singular or plural noun that follows will often signal which type of ownership is intended.

Question 3

All of the __ were considered during the meeting.

Which choice correctly completes the sentence?

  1. interns opinions
  2. intern's opinions
  3. interns' opinions (correct answer)
  4. intern's opinion's
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of possessive forms with plural nouns. When you see a sentence involving ownership or belonging, you need to determine whether the noun is singular or plural, then apply the correct possessive rule. The sentence states "All of the __ were considered," which tells you we're dealing with multiple people (the verb "were" is plural). Since we're talking about opinions that belong to these multiple interns, you need the possessive form of a plural noun. For plural nouns ending in "s," you form the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the "s": interns' opinions. Choice A) "interns opinions" is incorrect because it lacks any apostrophe to show possession. Without the apostrophe, this suggests the opinions don't belong to anyone, which doesn't make grammatical sense in this context. Choice B) "intern's opinions" is wrong because it uses the singular possessive form. This would mean the opinions belong to just one intern, but the plural verb "were" indicates we're discussing multiple people. Choice D) "intern's opinion's" is incorrect because it incorrectly makes "opinions" possessive. The opinions aren't possessing anything else in this sentence—they're the things being possessed by the interns. Additionally, this creates a double possessive that's grammatically incorrect. Remember this pattern: singular possessive uses apostrophe + s (intern's), while plural possessive of words ending in "s" uses only an apostrophe after the "s" (interns'). Let the verb agreement guide you toward singular or plural.

Question 4

The marathon route covers __ miles through the city.

Which choice completes the sentence with correct punctuation?

  1. twenty-four (correct answer)
  2. twenty, four
  3. twenty; four
  4. twenty four
Explanation: When you encounter compound numbers (numbers made up of two or more words), you need to understand the hyphenation rules that govern how they should be written. The correct answer is A) "twenty-four" because compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine should always be hyphenated when written out as words. The hyphen connects the two parts of the number into a single unit, making it clear that "twenty" and "four" work together to represent the number 24. Looking at the incorrect options: B) "twenty, four" uses a comma, which incorrectly separates the two parts of the number as if they were items in a list rather than components of a single number. C) "twenty; four" uses a semicolon, which is completely inappropriate here since semicolons are used to separate independent clauses or complex list items, not parts of a number. D) "twenty four" omits any punctuation entirely, which violates the standard rule requiring hyphens in compound numbers. This hyphenation rule applies consistently to all compound numbers in this range, whether you're writing "thirty-seven," "fifty-six," or "eighty-nine." However, remember that larger numbers like "one hundred" or "two thousand" don't require hyphens because they aren't compound in the same way. Study tip: Whenever you write out numbers twenty-one through ninety-nine, always use a hyphen. This is a firm rule in English that appears frequently on standardized tests, so memorizing this range will serve you well.

Question 5

The hikers reached the overlook just as the clouds began to break apart. They wanted to stay   was picking up, and the trail back would be harder to follow after dark. Reluctantly, they started their descent.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. longer, the wind
  2. longer; the wind (correct answer)
  3. longer the wind
  4. longer: the wind
Explanation: The words before the blank, "They wanted to stay longer," form a complete sentence, and the words after it, "the wind was picking up, and the trail back would be harder to follow after dark," also form a complete sentence. Two complete sentences that are closely related need punctuation strong enough to join them, which is exactly what a semicolon does. The comma option creates a comma splice, incorrectly linking two complete sentences with only a comma. The choice with no punctuation runs the two complete sentences together as a fused sentence. The colon signals that what follows explains, lists, or completes what came before, but here the second part is an equal, independent thought rather than a definition or example, so a colon does not fit. Only the semicolon correctly joins two related complete sentences.

Question 6

We canceled the picnic __ dark clouds gathered.

Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. because,
  2. , because
  3. because (correct answer)
  4. ; because
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of subordinating conjunctions and comma usage in complex sentences. When you encounter sentences with dependent and independent clauses, you need to determine the correct punctuation based on the relationship between the clauses. The word "because" is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a dependent clause explaining why something happened. In this sentence, "We canceled the picnic" is the independent clause (complete thought), and "because dark clouds gathered" is the dependent clause (incomplete thought that depends on the main clause). Choice C is correct because when a dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction follows an independent clause, no comma is needed. The sentence flows naturally: "We canceled the picnic because dark clouds gathered." Choice A is wrong because placing a comma after "because" incorrectly separates the subordinating conjunction from its clause, creating an awkward and grammatically incorrect pause. Choice B is incorrect because it places a comma before "because," which is unnecessary when the dependent clause follows the independent clause. (You would only use this comma if the dependent clause came first: "Because dark clouds gathered, we canceled the picnic.") Choice D is wrong because a semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses of equal importance, but "because dark clouds gathered" is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone. Remember: When a "because" clause comes after the main clause, don't use any punctuation between them. Only use a comma when the "because" clause starts the sentence.

Question 7

The editor liked the article's main argument but wanted the introduction to be clearer. She suggested one   the definition of "urban heat island" to the first paragraph. That adjustment would give readers the context they need before the statistics appear.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. change, move
  2. change; move
  3. change: move (correct answer)
  4. change. move
Explanation: This question tests the use of a colon to introduce a specific explanation or elaboration. The sentence sets up an expectation with 'She suggested one change' and then delivers the specific change after the blank. A colon is the ideal punctuation mark when introducing a single item or specific piece of information that fulfills the expectation created by the first part of the sentence. Choice A (comma) is too weak for this emphatic introduction, choice B (semicolon) is for joining independent clauses, and choice D (period) would create a fragment since 'move the definition...' is an imperative phrase that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Question 8

A museum placard describes a painting and includes extra information about the artist. The sentence reads, "The mural was designed by Elena  " and the curator wants the phrase about Ruiz to be set off correctly because it is nonessential information. The goal is to use punctuation that matches Standard English conventions.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. Ruiz, a local artist known for bold geometric patterns, (correct answer)
  2. Ruiz a local artist known for bold geometric patterns,
  3. Ruiz; a local artist known for bold geometric patterns,
  4. Ruiz: a local artist known for bold geometric patterns,
Explanation: This question tests the use of a comma to set off a nonessential appositive phrase that provides additional information about a noun. The phrase 'a local artist known for bold geometric patterns' is an appositive renaming 'Elena Ruiz' and is nonessential because the sentence remains complete without it, so it should be set off by a comma for clarity. Choice B lacks the comma, creating a run-on by jamming the appositive directly against the name; Choice C uses a semicolon, which incorrectly treats the appositive as an independent clause; and Choice D employs a colon, which is for introducing lists or explanations, not appositives. Nonessential appositives add descriptive details without changing the core meaning, and commas act like parentheses to enclose them. When you see a phrase that renames or describes a preceding noun, test if it's essential by removing it; if the sentence still makes sense, commas are required.

Question 9

The committee debated whether to extend library hours during exam week. Several members supported the   worried about staffing and security costs. After discussion, they voted to extend hours only on Friday and Saturday.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. idea, others
  2. idea; others (correct answer)
  3. idea others
  4. idea. others
Explanation: This question tests punctuation between two independent clauses showing contrast. 'Several members supported the idea' can stand alone as a complete sentence, and 'others worried about staffing and security costs' is also a complete sentence with its own subject and verb. These two clauses present contrasting viewpoints in the debate, making a semicolon the ideal choice to join them while showing their close relationship. Choice A creates a comma splice by using only a comma between independent clauses, choice C incorrectly runs them together with no punctuation, and while choice D (period) is grammatically correct, the semicolon better emphasizes the balanced opposition between supporters and those with concerns.

Question 10

The exhibit focuses on __ architecture.

Which choice correctly completes the sentence?

  1. post World War II
  2. post-World War II (correct answer)
  3. post, World War II
  4. post; World War II
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of hyphenation rules for compound modifiers—phrases that work together to describe a noun. When a compound modifier comes before the noun it describes, you need to connect its parts with hyphens to show they function as a single unit. Here, "post World War II" describes what type of architecture, so these words must be linked together to clarify their relationship. Choice B correctly uses hyphens to connect all parts of the compound modifier: "post-World War II." This creates one cohesive phrase that clearly modifies "architecture." The hyphens signal that "post," "World," "War," and "II" all work together as a single descriptive unit. Choice A fails to use any hyphens, leaving "post World War II architecture" ambiguous. Without hyphens, readers might wonder if this refers to architecture that is "post World War" and separately "II," which doesn't make sense. Choice C incorrectly uses a comma instead of a hyphen after "post." Commas separate elements rather than joining them into compound modifiers, so this breaks up the phrase when you need to unite it. Choice D uses a semicolon after "post," which is wrong for the same reason as the comma—semicolons separate independent clauses or complex list items, not parts of compound modifiers. Remember this pattern: when multiple words work together to modify a noun and come before that noun, connect them with hyphens to show they're functioning as one unit. This is especially common with time periods, measurements, and descriptive phrases.

Question 11

The painting __ was restored last year __ won the award.

Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. that /,
  2. which /,
  3. , which , (correct answer)
  4. which /
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of restrictive versus non-restrictive clauses and their punctuation rules. When you see a sentence with embedded clauses, you need to determine whether the clause is essential to the meaning or provides additional information. The correct answer is C) ", which ,". The clause "which was restored last year" is non-restrictive, meaning it adds extra information about the painting but isn't essential to identify which painting we're discussing. Non-restrictive clauses always use "which" and must be set off with commas on both sides when they appear in the middle of a sentence. Choice A) "that /" is incorrect because "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information), but this clause is clearly non-restrictive since it's providing additional detail about an already-identified painting. Also, restrictive clauses don't use commas. Choice B) "which /" is wrong because while "which" correctly signals a non-restrictive clause, you're missing the essential comma before "which." Non-restrictive clauses must have commas on both sides when embedded in a sentence. Choice D) "which /" fails for the same reason as B – it uses "which" appropriately but omits the crucial opening comma. Without both commas, the clause isn't properly set off as non-restrictive. Remember this pattern: if you can remove the clause and the sentence still makes complete sense, it's non-restrictive and needs "which" with commas on both sides. If the clause is essential to identify what you're talking about, use "that" with no commas.

Question 12

On the panel were Lisa Smith, PhD[ ] Raj Patel, MD[ ] and Carmen Lopez, JD, each bringing expertise to the discussion.

Which choice correctly completes the sentence?

  1. ,
  2. ; ; (correct answer)
  3. ; ,
  4. , ;
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of semicolon usage in complex lists containing internal punctuation. When list items already contain commas (like after "PhD" and "MD"), you need stronger punctuation to separate the main items clearly. The sentence lists three panel members: "Lisa Smith, PhD," "Raj Patel, MD," and "Carmen Lopez, JD." Since each person's credentials are set off by commas, using additional commas to separate the main list items would create confusion about where one item ends and the next begins. Semicolons solve this problem by providing clear separation between the major list items while preserving the commas within each item. The correct punctuation is: "Lisa Smith, PhD; Raj Patel, MD; and Carmen Lopez, JD." This makes choice B correct, using semicolons in both positions. Choice A fails because using commas throughout creates ambiguity—readers can't easily distinguish between commas separating credentials from commas separating people. Choice C mixes punctuation inconsistently, using a semicolon after the first person but a comma after the second, which violates parallel structure rules. Choice D reverses the logical pattern by putting the comma first and semicolon second, creating the same inconsistency problem as C. Remember this pattern: when your list items contain internal commas, upgrade to semicolons to separate the main items. This rule appears frequently on standardized tests, so watch for any series where individual items already use commas for internal punctuation—that's your cue to use semicolons for the primary separations.

Question 13

The storm devastated the small towns, __ settlements with fewer than 5,000 residents, along the river.

Which choice correctly completes the sentence?

  1. i.e. settlements with fewer than 5,000 residents,
  2. i.e., settlements with fewer than 5,000 residents
  3. i.e., settlements with fewer than 5,000 residents, (correct answer)
  4. i.e. settlements, with fewer than 5,000 residents,
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of punctuation rules for the Latin abbreviation "i.e." (meaning "that is" or "in other words"). When you encounter "i.e." in formal writing, you need to know both comma placement and how it functions within sentence structure. The correct answer is C because "i.e." requires a comma both before and after it when introducing a clarifying phrase. The phrase "settlements with fewer than 5,000 residents" explains what "small towns" means, so it needs to be set off with commas on both sides. Think of "i.e." as similar to "in other words" — you would naturally pause before and after such an expression. Choice A omits the crucial comma after "i.e.," which violates standard punctuation rules. Choice B places the comma after "i.e." but fails to include the closing comma after "residents," leaving the clarifying phrase improperly integrated into the sentence. Choice D incorrectly places a comma after "settlements," which breaks up the essential phrase "settlements with fewer than 5,000 residents" and creates confusion about what exactly has fewer than 5,000 residents. Remember this pattern: when using "i.e." to clarify or restate something, always sandwich it between commas — comma before "i.e.," comma after "i.e.," and another comma to close the entire clarifying phrase. The same rule applies to "e.g." (meaning "for example"). This punctuation creates clear, readable sentences that properly signal to readers when you're providing additional explanation.

Question 14

A science club is writing a short description of its greenhouse project. The draft includes the sentence "The club installed sensors that measure  ." The advisor noted that the second verb phrase shares the same subject ("sensors") and should not be separated in a way that creates an error.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. humidity, help the team adjust watering schedules
  2. humidity; help the team adjust watering schedules
  3. humidity and help the team adjust watering schedules (correct answer)
  4. humidity. help the team adjust watering schedules
Explanation: This question tests the coordination of parallel verb phrases sharing the same subject without unnecessary punctuation. The verbs 'measure' and 'help' are parallel actions performed by 'sensors,' forming a compound predicate that requires 'and' to connect them smoothly without creating a separation that implies independence. Choice A incorrectly inserts a comma, which disrupts the flow and suggests a pause not needed in a compound predicate; Choice B uses a semicolon, treating the phrases as independent clauses when they are not; and Choice D employs a period, fragmenting the second phrase. Parallel structures like this maintain balance in sentences, and connecting them with 'and' without punctuation ensures conciseness. To spot parallel verbs, check if they share a subject; if they do, avoid punctuation that would split them into separate clauses.

Question 15

At the end of the semester, the robotics team reviewed feedback from judges and compared it with their own notes. The judges praised the robot's speed but questioned the reliability of its sensors, and the team agreed that the  .

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. sensors' wiring needed to be replaced before the next competition (correct answer)
  2. sensors wiring needed to be replaced before the next competition
  3. sensor's wiring needed to be replaced before the next competition
  4. sensors's wiring needed to be replaced before the next competition
Explanation: This question tests the correct placement of an apostrophe to show plural possession. The word 'sensors' is plural (referring to multiple components of the robot), and it possesses the 'wiring,' so the apostrophe goes after the 's' to form 'sensors',' indicating ownership by more than one sensor. Choice B omits the apostrophe, treating 'sensors' as merely plural without showing possession, which changes the meaning. Choice C places the apostrophe before the 's' to form 'sensor's,' implying singular possession, but the context refers to multiple sensors, and Choice D adds an extra 's' after the apostrophe, which is incorrect for regular plural possessives. When choices differ in apostrophe placement around an 's,' determine if the noun is singular or plural and whether it owns something; for plurals ending in 's,' the apostrophe follows the 's.'

Question 16

Mina drafted an email to her classmates about the group project, and she wanted the message to sound firm but polite. She had already assigned tasks to two people, and she still needed someone to design the  .

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. slides, she asked Jordan to take that role
  2. slides; she asked Jordan to take that role (correct answer)
  3. slides. she asked Jordan to take that role
  4. slides and she asked Jordan to take that role
Explanation: This question tests the use of a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Both parts around the blank are independent clauses—'she still needed someone to design the slides' can stand alone, as can 'she asked Jordan to take that role'—and they share a logical connection in the sequence of actions, so a semicolon properly links them. Choice A creates a comma splice by using only a comma between the two independent clauses, which is grammatically incorrect. Choice C uses a period but does not capitalize the following word, resulting in a run-on feel, while Choice D omits necessary punctuation and attempts an awkward coordination with 'and' that disrupts the sentence structure. When evaluating options for joining sentences, test if each side can stand alone as a complete thought; if yes, a semicolon or period (with proper capitalization) is needed instead of just a comma.

Question 17

After weeks of rehearsal, the jazz ensemble finally performed in the auditorium. Before the first song began, the director addressed the audience and thanked the   the stage crew, who had adjusted microphones and lights for every rehearsal.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. volunteers, especially (correct answer)
  2. volunteers; especially
  3. volunteers especially
  4. volunteers. Especially
Explanation: This question tests punctuation with the adverb 'especially' when it introduces specific examples. The word 'especially' here introduces a specific example of the volunteers being thanked (the stage crew), functioning as an adverbial phrase that adds emphasis rather than starting a new independent clause. When 'especially' introduces examples or emphasis within a sentence, it should be preceded by a comma, not stronger punctuation. Choice A correctly uses a comma before 'especially', maintaining the flow of the sentence while adding the specific example. Choices B and D use unnecessarily strong punctuation (semicolon and period), while choice C omits punctuation entirely, creating a run-on.

Question 18

At the robotics club meeting, Maya demonstrated a small rover that could follow a line of tape across the floor. The rover performed well in   struggled during the timed trial because the tape had been placed too close to a reflective window.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. practice, it
  2. practice; it (correct answer)
  3. practice: it
  4. practice it
Explanation: This question tests punctuation between two independent clauses that show contrast. The first clause 'The rover performed well in practice' is complete, and the second clause 'it struggled during the timed trial...' is also independent with its own subject and verb. These two clauses present contrasting information (performed well vs. struggled), making them closely related but grammatically independent. A semicolon is the ideal punctuation here because it connects the related independent clauses while showing their contrast without needing a conjunction. Choice A would create a comma splice, choice C misuses the colon (which typically introduces explanations or lists), and choice D incorrectly runs the sentences together without any punctuation.

Question 19

The town council debated a proposal that would limit street parking on weekends, when the farmers' market draws large crowds. Several residents supported the plan, but others objected because the restrictions would affect   relied on nearby parking to carry heavy bags home.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. shoppers, who
  2. shoppers; who
  3. shoppers who (correct answer)
  4. shoppers. Who
Explanation: This question tests restrictive versus non-restrictive clauses. The clause 'who relied on nearby parking to carry heavy bags home' is essential to identify which specific shoppers would be affected—not all shoppers, just those who need nearby parking. This makes it a restrictive clause, which should not be set off by commas. Choice C correctly omits the comma, showing that the 'who' clause restricts or defines which shoppers are being discussed. Choice A incorrectly adds a comma, suggesting the information is non-essential, while choices B and D create grammatical errors with a semicolon and period respectively. Remember: if removing the clause would change the meaning of who or what you're talking about, it's restrictive and needs no comma.

Question 20

The hiking guide recommended packing a few essentials for the day trip: a full water bottle, a map, and a light jacket. She also suggested checking the forecast before leaving because storms can form quickly in the mountains even on warm afternoons.

The hiking guide recommended packing a few essentials for the day trip: a full water bottle, a map, and a light jacket. She also suggested checking the forecast before   storms can form quickly in the mountains even on warm afternoons.

  1. leaving, because (correct answer)
  2. leaving; because
  3. leaving because
  4. leaving. Because
Explanation: This question tests punctuation with subordinating conjunctions like 'because'. The word 'because' introduces a dependent clause that explains why you should check the forecast—it cannot stand alone as a sentence. When a dependent clause beginning with 'because' follows an independent clause, you typically use a comma to separate them. Choice A correctly uses a comma before 'because', properly connecting the independent clause to its explanatory dependent clause. Choice B incorrectly uses a semicolon (which joins independent clauses), choice C omits necessary punctuation, and choice D incorrectly treats 'Because storms can form...' as an independent sentence, creating a fragment.