Quiz, Punctuation and Grammar (10 points)
Review the “Use of Commas” document. Make sure you understand every rule before you attempt this quiz.

Punctuate the following sentences correctly; then, in the blank, identify the rule(s) you used to punctuate the sentences. Use the numbered rules at the end of the quiz. You must get the punctuation and the rule correct for the sentence to be counted as correct. (Each term I change the rule numbers, so please consult the list at the end of the quiz.)

The numbers of the comma rules that you must use, and the rule for semi-colon use, are listed at the end of the quiz. Sentences will often use more than one rule and more than one comma or other punctuation. Warning: Some sentences may not need punctuation. If you punctuate a sentence that does not need punctuation, it will be counted as incorrect.

Punctuate the sentence AND write the number of the appropriate Rule(s) in the blank.

PLEASE do not consult online advice sites in order to complete this quiz. This quiz is designed to test your knowledge, not the knowledge of experts on the internet, help sites, or online writing labs. I regret to say that I have found evidence that students have done this in the past. Do your own work. Thank you.

_____1. Several issues confronted the inspectors these included unsafe machine placement illegal writing protocols and hazardous treatment of refuse and waste.

_____2. If the proposal is not accepted then the department plans to revise it if the plan is accepted then the new program will begin the following fall term.

_____3. The Disney version of the story generally considered both racist and sexist portrays female characters in stereotypical roles and presents ethnically diverse characters with stereotypical features.

_____4. The person who will present the paper at the conference Dr. Melanie Trelawney won several awards for scientific writing.

(Note: intended meaning—the person presenting is named Melanie Trelawney)

_____5. If the graduates can show that they have mastered team skills written communication and presentation strategies then they will soon achieve success at locating gainful employment.

_____6. Some universities design distance education programs to match in-the-classroom models others design online courses to be more challenging than their in-the-classroom counterparts to compensate for lack of face-to-face interaction.
______7. Students may not be prepared for employment in a specific profession but they can gain valuable experience through training or volunteer positions in a specific field.

______8. In technical communication no universal agreement exists about the icons emblems or words used as alerts but various organizations have set standards for how alerts are identified and these alerts are often tailored to specific industries.

_____ 9. Dr. William Brooke O’Shaughnessy a famous physician in the 1800s supported hemp being used for medicinal purposes he was a rich Irish physician who became recognized for his work in pharmacology his inventions in telegraphy and his experiments with non-traditional therapeutic treatments.

______10. The concept was excellent however the budget is probably not sufficient to implement it.

______11. As players level up in the multiplayer game they move up in their ranking and gain access to more information about the enemies the world and their character’s backstory.

______12. Young people are often less contented with their lot than their older mentors they are more eager for change more open to experimentation of method and more intolerant of the constraints of routine the differences seem to be related to generational features.

______13. Current employees the Internet the company’s publications or the business section of back issues of local newspapers all provide information about the company however it is a good idea to check this information for accuracy.

______14. An invention that promises to prevent metal from deteriorating is guaranteed to change the way automobile chassis are manufactured.

______15. As you know Robert the problem occurred as a result of under-staffing a common situation in the Finance Department and one that the Human Resources group should address.

(Note: intended meaning—writer is ‘addressing’ Robert)

______16. The supervisor investigated the damaged inventory-control system but found nothing wrong.

______17. To be successful technologists with master’s degrees must continue to learn get certification and renew licenses without continued education technologists’ skills become obsolete very quickly.

______18. He gave a poor performance evaluation to the staff members who protested to the Human Resources Department.

[Note: Your punctuation choice should indicate that all of the staff members protested because of the poor evaluation.]
______19. An extended narrative interspersed with fabliaux amorous letters and booklets and fifty-eight songs it has long been regarded as the first German vernacular autobiography.

_____20. Like a blinking red traffic light at an intersection a semicolon signals a brief but definite stop semicolons have several uses.

Use these numbers to identify the rules you used to punctuate the sentences in the quiz. Remember that sentences can use more than one rule. Some sentences may not need any punctuation other than a period at the end.

1. Place a comma after an introductory element of any length (word, phrase, or clause).
2. Use two commas to set off nonrestrictive (not necessary) elements. (short or long, modifying or parenthetical)
SENTENCES.
3. Place a comma before a coordinating conjunction that JOINS TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES.
4. Place commas to delineate items in a series; include a comma before the final “and” in the series.
5. Place a comma between adjectives of “equal weight.”
6. Use a comma to set off words that follow the main body of the sentence but are not vitally important to the meaning of the sentence (modifiers).
7. Use commas to set off names in direct address.
8. Use a comma between a quotation and the phrase that indicates the speaker. Also, use commas to introduce direct quotes taken from outside sources.
9. Use a comma between the elements of a date or place.
10. Use a comma or commas to set off sharply contrasting elements.

11. Use a semi-colon to join two complete sentences. [If you decide to separate two sentences with a period, please use this rule.]
Style section of the quiz. (extra credit. ½ point for each correct revision AND correct ‘rules’ or explanations). I give this opportunity for extra credit because so many students do not understand punctuation and grammar rules and have difficulty with the first section of this quiz. BUT, you must use specific style rules in order for this section to gain extra credit. These rules can be found in any WRI 227 textbook.

Revise each of the following, and then explain why you revised the sentence the way you did. Refer to specific style rules for clear technical writing.
1. The more ingenious opponents of preferential treatment are currently arguing that the preferential awarding of grades in university courses, such as Philosophy 400, can be justified for all the same reasons relied upon to justify preferential treatment in hiring and admissions.

Revised Sentence:

Rules used (be specific):
2. The long delay was caused by several contributing factors including the delivery of the incorrect information and mislabeling of several products.

Revised Sentence:
Rules used:
3. This report presents an analysis of variations in the relative abundances of common primary elements arising from differences in the lifetime of the progenitor stars.

Revised Sentence:
Rules used:
4. Directions for use of the enclosed substance should be carefully and thoroughly reviewed before purchasers begin using said substance; the substance should never be consumed or otherwise partaken of without the purchaser’s proceeding in the prescribed manner as set forth on the accompanying and attached circular of instructions.
Revised Sentence:

Rules used:

Possible rules to use include the following: sentence length, placement of subject and verbs, interrupting phrases between subjects and verbs, omit verbiage, concrete verbs (avoid “to be” verbs); “clean prose”; avoid ponderous language; active voice; define with necessary; avoid impersonal language; shorten opening phrases, and avoid dangling or misplaced modifiers.