Tag: punctuation

Questions Related to punctuation

How many dots make an ellipsis?

  1. two

  2. four

  3. three

  4. five


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
An ellipsis is made of three dots called ellipsis points. Ellipses are exactly three dots, not two or four or five. Hence, Option C is correct.

State whether the statement is true or false..

I was thinking... well... may be I could join you all tonight. 
The usage of ellipsis is correct.
  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

There is a pause in the thought process and even after saying 'well', the speaker thinks. That is why the usage of the ellipses is correct.

What do the three dots in the sentence suggest?
She opened the door and saw . . . a cake!

  1. a trailing thought

  2. an omission

  3. repetition

  4. figure of speech


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

It obviously suggests a trailing thought. She opened the door with the expectation that someone must be at the door but she sees a cake to her surprise. Thus, Option A is correct and the other options cancel out.

Put ellipsis (...) in the correct place in the following sentence.

I thought but I couldn't speak.

  1. after 'thought'

  2. after 'speak'

  3. before 'I'

  4. NO change


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Option A is correct because the substance of the thought has been kept silent
Option B is incorrect because the action is firmly completed
Option C is incorrect because this is an independent sentence and not a part of a continuation
Option D is incorrect as the ellipsis is missing

Rahul broke his mother's favourite vase with a cricket ball. His mother said, 'You... You... Get out of the house."

What does the ellipsis indicate in the sentence above?

  1. trailing angry thought

  2. kind words

  3. no expression

  4. appreciation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

It is pretty obvious from the context that Rahul's mother is dangerously angry with his because he has broken her favourite vase. Therefore, she won't be saying him anything kind or appreciate him for what he has done. She is so angry that she can't figure out with what fit words she should scold him. So, out of anger she tells him to get out of the house. Thus, the ellipsis suggest a trailing angry thought. Hence, Option A is correct.

Choose the best answer (in the affirmative) to the following question:
Did the man cross the road safely?

  1. No, he did not.

  2. Yes, he did.

  3. No, he could not.

  4. Yes, he could.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Affirmative answers have the following structure: Yes, subject+auxiliary verb in the same tense as the question. Hence Option C is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence incorrect.

Select the best ellipsis/short answer in the negative in response to the following:

Are you going to write your grandfather a letter?

  1. Yes, I am.

  2. No, I am not.

  3. Yes, I will.

  4. No, I will not.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Negative answers have the following structure: No, subject+auxiliary verb in the same tense as the question. Hence Option B is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence incorrect.

Select the best ellipsis/short answer in the negative in response to the following:

Will you type up the new document quickly?

  1. Yes, I will.

  2. No, I will not.

  3. Yes, I can.

  4. No, I cannot.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Affirmative answers have the following structure: No, subject+auxiliary verb in the same tense as the question. Hence Option B is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence incorrect.

Select the most suitable response to the given question:
Will you be ordering food to the house?

  1. No, I will not.

  2. Yes, I should.

  3. No, I cannot.

  4. Yes, I can.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Negative answers have the following structure: yes, subject+auxiliary verb in the same tense as the question. Hence Option A is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence incorrect.

Select the best ellipsis/short answer in the affirmative in response to the following:

I think she is a very bright student.

  1. Neither do I

  2. I do not either.

  3. So do I.

  4. Do you?


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Affirmative answers have the following structure: affirmative word+ subject+auxiliary verb in the same tense as the question. Hence Option C is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence incorrect.