The following sentences have had all punctuation marks removed from them; type the sentence correctly (with all punctuation included) in the box below the sentence.

1. If you cant come today tomorrow is okay too

2. Barbara and Melvin are going to adopt a baby therefore they will soon have a son or daughter to love and raise

3. Please Greg try to be quiet you know that your noise ruins everyones concentration

4. The mail carrier said There is twelve cents postage due on this letter

5. Whenever a book becomes a bestseller television or movie producers think about turning it into a TV show or a film.

6. As soon as the plane took off the pilots voice came over the loudspeaker to explain the delay he told us that they had run out of peanuts

7. Are you sure about the menu I think the Merrills are vegetarians and I know Bo dislikes pork

8. The clocks say 822 we must have lost power during last nights storm

9. The items you need are as follows paper pencils and an eraser

10. Is your meal okay asked our server

11. Because we didnt really know what we were doing we were careful to pack extra batteries bandages and aspirin

12. Bert who has just moved in upstairs always wears metal-toed shoes they really make a racket

13. The animals first few days here stated Mrs Dunbar the zookeeper is the most important adjustment time

14. No one here at least to my knowledge called the police or fire department

15. When I take my vacation Ill visit my sister in Charlottesville my cousin in Tampa and my brother at Ft Harrison Indiana

16. Seventy-five peoples names on the petition wont get the item on the ballot youll have to get more signatures at least 500

17. Learn to spell the words in List 1 receive believe thief neighbor and weigh

18. Hi fellows said Mr Maxwell Whats going on

19. The animal trainer while holding a whip in her right hand instructed the beasts to lie down and roll over

20. In the fall temperatures may drop in a hurry nonetheless its still my favorite time of the year

21. More dinosaur bones have been found in Canada by the way than in any other place in the world

22. My aunt lives with us in the summer but since she can't stand the cold weather spends her summers in Miami Florida where it is much warmer

23. A scientist who studies weather is called a meteorologist

Choose the best answer for each question.

Questions 24-26 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) The students at the baking institute are collecting pie crust recipes from friends relatives and cookbooks. (2) Everyone who bakes has a favorite recipe for pie crust tart shells and special desserts. (3) Some people make a good pie crust by simply mixing flour, water, and salt. (4) Some bakers say that for a flakier crust you need flour, ice-cold water, salt, and lard. (5) Everyone agrees that for a healthier recipe, you should avoid butter and lard.

24. How should Sentence 1 be corrected?

25. How should Sentence 2 be corrected?

26. How should Sentence 5 be corrected?

Questions 27-29 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) "Dave it's going to take a lot of work to put this sales meeting together," Bonnie said to her co-worker. (2) "By the way, do you have the hotel reservation list?" she asked. (3) "No, I left it at work," Dave replied. (4) Looking hopeless Dave asked, "How can we do this without the list?" (5) Bonnie said, "I think I can remember most of the people." (6). "Oh boy" Dave moaned, "This is going to be really difficult."

27. How should Sentence 1 be corrected?

28. Where should the comma in Sentence 4 be placed?

29. Where should the comma in Sentence 6 be placed?

Questions 30-32 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) Moving day is very tiring, but it can be made easy by planning ahead. (2) Schedule the movers to arrive at eleven, and schedule, the clean-up crew to arrive at noon. (3) The telephone and the electricity should be turned off the following day. (4) Put all your clothes and personal items in strong boxes. (5) Pack the kitchen supplies the night before you move but keep enough food in the refrigerator for a quick lunch. (6) Mark all your boxes clearly, or you won't be able to find anything when you get to your new apartment.

30. How can Sentence 2 be corrected?

31. How should Sentence 3 be corrected?

32. Where should the comma be placed in Sentence 5?

Questions 33-35 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) I remember last year's winter storm well. (2) Two days earlier, I was in an accident that dented my brand new car. (3) The day started out cold and clear, I was looking forward to getting my car from the body shop. (4) Huge dark clouds that promised a mighty storm rolled in. (5) I was on the road home, and hailstones started pelting my car. (6) "The hail is the size of golf balls, and my car is brand new!" I exclaimed.

33. How should Sentence 3 be rewritten?

34. How should Sentence 4 be corrected?

35. Why is "and" used in Sentence 5?

Questions 36-39 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) The old theater on Main Street reopened last week the management wanted to hire workers. (2) Marie and I were thrilled; we applied for jobs immediately. (3) The theater features science fiction movies from the 1950s and clips from silent movies, newsreels, cartoons, and short nature films, and popcorn, juices and other snacks. (4) I like to see the horror movies; Marie likes to see the old romantic films. (5) I run the concession stand and collect tickets; Marie sells tickets and answers the telephone; and we both get to watch wonderful old films.

36. Where should the semicolon in Sentence 1 be placed?

37. Why can a semicolon in Sentence 2 be used?

38. How should Sentence 3 be corrected?

39. How should Sentence 5 be corrected?

Questions 40-45 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) Doctors who provide health care for young children are concerned about the increasing number of low-weight births in the United States. (2) Low birth weight is linked to higher rates of, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and respiratory problems. (3) Since it is the leading predictor of infant deaths researchers are anxious to identify the causes and find ways to prevent it. (4) One cause of low birth weight is drug use. (5) According to recent estimates, about 20 percent of the babies, born in major American cities, are affected by their mothers' drug use. (6) Drug use, however is not the chief cause of low birth weight. (7) Because low birth weight occurs more often among the poor, Doctors are convinced that the leading causes are the mother's poor health and inadequate care during pregnancy. (8) Advanced medical technology cannot prevent this common problem. (9) Resources must be spent on educating women about proper health care before and during pregnancy.

40. Sentence 2: Low birth weight is linked to higher rates of, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and respiratory problems.
What correction should be made to this sentence?

41. Sentence 3: Since it is the leading predictor of infant deaths researchers are anxious to identify the causes and find ways to prevent it.
What correction should be made to this sentence?

42. Sentence 5: According to recent estimates, about 20 percent of the babies, born in major American cities, are affected by their mother's drug use.
Which of the following is the best way to write the underlined portion of this sentence? If you think the original is the best way, choose option (a).

43. Sentence 6: Drug use, however is not the chief cause of low birth weight.
What correction should be made to this sentence?

44. Sentence 7: Because low birth weight occurs more often among the poor, Doctors are convinced that the leading causes are the mother's poor health and inadequate care during pregnancy.
Which of the following is the best way to write the underlined portion of the sentence? If you think the original is the best way, choose option (a).

45. Sentences 8 and 9: Advanced medical technology cannot prevent this common problem. Resources must be spent on educating women about proper health care before and during pregnancy.
The most effective combination of sentences 8 and 9 would include which of the following groups of words?

Questions 46-50 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) If you are a fan of American musicals, you probably know and appreciate the music of George Gershwin. (2) Gershwin's talents have long been celebrated, but few realize the role his older brother Ira played in his success. (3) Ira originally named Israel Gershvin, was born in 1896. (4) He began writing lyrics for his brother's music in 1918; however he used the name Arthur Francis at first in order not to capitalize on George's reputation. (5) Ira quickly made a name for himself. (6) He was the first song lyricist to win a Pulitzer Prize. (7) George and him shared the award in 1932 for the show Of Thee I Sing. (8) He collaborated with his brother on more than 20 Broadway musicals and motion pictures. (9) After George's death in 1937, Ira worked with many other composers including Jerome Kern, and Harold Arlen. (10) His last project, finished in 1983, involved writing lyrics to his brother's music used in the musical My One and Only.

46. Sentence 3: Ira originally named Israel Gershvin, was born in 1896.
What correction should be made to this sentence?

47. Sentence 4: He began writing lyrics for his brother's music in 1918; however he used the name Arthur Francis at first in order not to capitalize on George's reputation.
Which of the following is the best way to write the underlined portion of this sentence? If you think the original is the best way, choose option (a).

48. Sentences 5 and 6: Ira quickly made a name for himself. He was the first song lyricist to win a Pulitzer Prize.
The most effective combination of sentences 5 and 6 would include which of the following groups of words?

49. Sentence 7: George and him shared the award in 1932 for the show Of Thee I Sing.
What correction should be made to this sentence?

50. Sentence 9: After George's death in 1937, Ira worked with many other composers including Jerome Kern, and Harold Arlen.
What correction should be made to this sentence?

Resources:
English Skills Practice: Punctuation. (1998). Cambridge Exercise Books, Cambridge Adult Education: Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Hoyt, Cathy Fillmore. (1998). GED Program: Writing Skills. Cambridge Adult Education: Upper Saddle River, NJ.