PRACTICE TEST: PUNCTUATION

Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Congestion pricing, the practice of charging a fee for driving into the busiest areas of a city at the busiest times; it has more
support from economists than do politicians.
A at the busiest times; it has more support from economists than do politicians
B at the busiest times, has more support among economists than among politicians
C at the busiest times; it has more support among economists than among politicians
D at the busiest times, has more support from economists than do politicians
E at the busiest times, it has more support from economists than from among politicians

2. Municipal governments are beginning to confront the growing pension liabilities; this leads local politicians throughout the
country to become increasingly vocal about restraining costs and limiting services.
A the growing pension liabilities; this leads
B their growing pension liabilities; leading
C the growth in their pension liabilities, which leads
D their growing pension liabilities, leading
E their growing pension liabilities, that leads

3. The themes that Rita Dove explores in her poetry is universal, encompassing much of the human condition while
occasionally she deals with racial issues.
A is universal, encompassing much of the human condition while occasionally she deals
B is universal, encompassing much of the human condition, also occasionally it deals
C are universal, they encompass much of the human condition and occasionally deals
D are universal, encompassing much of the human condition while occasionally dealing
E are universal, they encompass much of the human condition, also occasionally are dealing

4. The gyrfalcon, an Arctic bird of prey, has survived a close brush with extinction; its numbers are now five times greater than
when the use of DDT was sharply restricted in the early 1970’s.
A extinction; its numbers are now five times greater than
B extinction; its numbers are now five times more than
C extinction, their numbers now fivefold what they were
D extinction, now with fivefold the numbers they had
E extinction, now with numbers five times greater than

5. Developed by Pennsylvania’s Palatine Germans about 1750, Conestoga wagons, with high wheels capable of crossing rutted
roads, muddy flats, and the nonroads of the prairie and they had a floor curved upward on either end so as to prevent cargo
from shifting on steep grades.
A wagons, with high wheels capable of crossing rutted roads, muddy flats, and the nonroads of the prairie and they had
a floor curved upward on either end so as to prevent
B wagons, with high wheels capable of crossing rutted roads, muddy flats, and the nonroads of the prairie, and with a
floor that was curved upward at both ends to prevent
C wagons, which had high wheels capable of crossing rutted roads, muddy flats, and the nonroads of the prairie, and
floors curved upward on their ends so that they prevented
D wagons had high wheels capable of crossing rutted roads, muddy flats, and the nonroads of the prairie, and a floor that
was curved upward at both ends to prevent
E wagons had high wheels capable of crossing rutted roads, muddy flats, and the nonroads of the prairie and floors
curving upward at their ends so that it prevented

6. The relationship between cell phone use and the incidence of brain tumors is still unclear, this is because some studies show
a causal relationship while others do not.
A is still unclear, this is because some studies show
B is still unclear; some studies show
C are still unclear because some studies show
D is still unclear because: some studies show
E is still unclear; the reason is that some studies show
7. During the past decade, the labor market in France has not been operating according to free market principles, but instead
stifling functioning through its various government regulations restricting the hiring and firing of workers.
A principles, but instead stifling functioning through its various government regulations restricting the hiring
and firing of workers
B principles, instead it has been functioning in a stifled manner as a result of various government regulations
that restrict the hiring and firing of workers
C principles, rather functioning despite being stifled as a result of government regulations that variously restrict
worker hiring and firing
D principles; the hiring and firing of workers is restricted there by various government regulations, its functioning
being stifled
E principles; instead, its functioning has been stifled by various government regulations restricting the hiring and
firing of workers

8. In the 1980s advertising revenues accounted for approximately 40% of operating profits of a typical local newspaper; in the
1990s this proportion increased to 57%.
A newspaper; in the 1990s this proportion increased to 57%.
B newspaper; in the 1990s they increased by 57%.
C newspaper, in the 1990s they increased to 57%.
D newspaper; increasing to 57% in the 1990s.
E newspaper, which increased to 57% in the 1990s.

9. In his laws of motion, which now form the core of classical mechanics, Isaac Newton clearly and concisely introduced three
important physical ideas: the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration, and the coupled nature
of forces.
A three important physical ideas: the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration, and the
coupled nature of forces
B three important physical ideas; the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration, and that
forces were coupled in nature
C three important physical ideas; the concept of inertia, force and acceleration were related, and the coupled nature of
forces
D three important physical ideas, the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration, and he
also introduced the coupled nature of forces
E three important ideas that were physical in nature: the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and
acceleration, and the coupled nature of forces

10. Created in 1945 to reduce poverty and stabilize foreign currency markets, the World Bank and the International Monetary
Fund have, according to some critics, continually struggled to meet the expectations of their major shareholders—a group
comprising many of the world’s rich nations—but neglected their intended beneficiaries in the developing world.
A continually struggled to meet the expectations of their major shareholders—a group comprising many of the world’s
rich nations—but neglected
B continually struggled as they try to meet the expectations of their major shareholders—a group comprising many of
the world’s rich nations—while neglecting that of
C continually struggled to meet their major shareholders’ expectations—a group comprising many of the world’s rich
nations—but neglected that of
D had to struggle continually in trying to meet the expectations of their major shareholders—a group comprising many
of the world’s rich nations—while neglecting that of
E struggled continually in trying to meet their major shareholders’ expectations—a group comprising many of the world’s
rich nations—and neglecting

11. The energy source on Voyager 2 is not a nuclear reactor, in which atoms are actively broken apart; rather a kind of nuclear
battery that uses natural radioactive decay to produce power.
A apart; rather
B apart, but rather
C apart, but rather that of
D apart, but that of
E apart; it is that of
12. While some academicians believe that business ethics should be integrated into every business course, others say that
students will take ethics seriously only if it would be taught as a separately required course.
A only if it would be taught as a separately required course
B only if it is taught as a separate, required course
C if it is taught only as a course required separately
D if it was taught only as a separate and required course
E if it would only be taught as a required course, separately

13. The psychologist William James believed that facial expressions not only provide a visible sign of an emotion, actually
contributing to the feeling itself.
A emotion, actually contributing to the feeling itself
B emotion but also actually contributing to the feeling itself
C emotion but also actually contribute to the feeling itself
D emotion; they also actually contribute to the feeling of it
E emotion; the feeling itself is also actually contributed to by them

14. Tensions escalated during the staff meeting, nevertheless everyone attended the farewell party for the plant manager when
the meeting was over.
A meeting, nevertheless everyone
B meeting, nevertheless, everyone
C meeting, nevertheless; everyone
D meeting; nevertheless: everyone
E meeting; nevertheless, everyone

15. Growing competitive pressures may be encouraging auditors to bend the rules in favor of clients; auditors may, for instance,
allow a questionable loan to remain on the books in order to maintain a bank’s profits on paper.
A clients; auditors may, for instance, allow
B clients, as an instance, to allow
C clients, like to allow
D clients, such as to be allowing
E clients; which might, as an instance, be the allowing of

16. Japanese researchers are producing a series of robots that can identify human facial expressions, to which they will then
respond; their goal is primarily creating a robot that will empathize with us.
A expressions, to which they will then respond; their goal is primarily creating
B expressions, then responding to them; primarily to create
C expressions and then respond to them; the researchers’ primary goal is to create
D expressions as well as giving a response to them; their primary goal is creation of
E expressions and responding to them; primarily, the researchers’ goal is creating

17. According to United States census data, while there was about one-third of mothers with young children working outside
the home in 1975, in 2000, almost two-thirds of those mothers were employed outside the home.
A while there was about one-third of mothers with young children working outside the home in 1975, in 2000, almost
two-thirds of those mothers were employed outside the home
B there were about one-third of mothers with young children who worked outside the home in 1975; in 2000, almost
two-thirds of those mothers were employed outside the home
C in 1975 about one-third of mothers with young children worked outside the home; in 2000, almost two-thirds of such
mothers were employed outside the home
D even though in 1975 there were about one-third of mothers with young children who worked outside the home, almost
two-thirds of such mothers were employed outside the home in 2000
E with about one-third of mothers with young children working outside the home in 1975, almost two-thirds of such
mothers were employed outside the home in 2000
18. The new president faces serious economic problems, he has to grapple with the meltdown of the stock market, soaring
unemployment figures, and failing American car manufacturers.
A problems, he has to grapple with the meltdown of the stock market, soaring unemployment figures, and failing
B problems: he has to grapple with the meltdown of the stock market, soaring unemployment figures, and failing
C problems—he has to grapple with the meltdown of the stock market—soaring unemployment figures, and failing
D problems, he has to grapple with the meltdown of the stock market; soaring unemployment figures; and failing
E problems; he has to grapple with the meltdown of the stock market; soaring unemployment figures; and failing

19. The lovely Indian dancer Madhavi Mudgal, a member of a family deeply committed to the classical arts, is the epitome of
elegance and grace, her style blends ancient Hindustani traditions with a modern sensibility.
A is the epitome of elegance and grace, her style blends ancient Hindustani traditions with a modern sensibility.
B is the epitome of elegance and grace: her style blends ancient Hindustani traditions with a modern sensibility.
C the epitome of elegance and grace, her style blends ancient Hindustani traditions with a modern sensibility.
D is the epitome of elegance and grace, and her style blends ancient Hindustani traditions with a modern sensibility.
E who is the epitome of elegance and grace, her style blends ancient Hindustani traditions with a modern sensibility.

20. The personnel director refused to allow the plant closing—so many people would be hurt if the company proceeded with
this action.
A plant closing—so many people
B plant closing so many people
C plant closing, so many people
D plant closing, so, many people
E plant closing? So many people

21. Archaeologists in Egypt have excavated a 5,000-year-old wooden hull that is the earliest surviving example of example of a
“built” boat-in other words, a boat constructed out of planks fitted together—and that thus represents a major
advance, in terms of boat-building technology, over the dugout logs and reed vessels of more ancient vintage.
A together—and that thus represents
B together—and this has represented
C together, and it represents
D together that was representing
E together to represent