ACT English
Preparation
University of Illinois-Chicago
Curriculum Framework Project
Spring 2011

Schedule of Lessons
Introduction to Test
Strategies
General
Commas/Punctuation
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Adjective vs Adverb

Lesson #5
Introduction to Test
Strategies
General
Commas/Punctuation
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Adjective vs Adverb

COMMAS/PUNCTUATION PT. 3
TWO MORE IMPORTANT CONCEPTS:
The SEMICOLON and The APOSTROPHE

Know how to use a semicolon. It is a simple rule that will help you answer some questions.

Know the basics of apostrophes.

COMMAS/PUNCTUATION PT. 3
THE SEMICOLON

A semicolon is used to combine two complete sentences.

Let’s look at three ways this is done.

COMMAS/PUNCTUATION PT. 3
THE SEMICOLON

Sentence #1 I like to read.

Sentence #2 The library is my favorite place to visit.
We can combine these to make one sentence by using a semicolon.
I like to read; the library is my favorite place to visit.

COMMAS/PUNCTUATION PT. 3
THE SEMICOLON

A semicolon can replace a comma and FANBOYS
I like to read, so the library is my favorite place to visit.
Drop the comma and the FANBOYS, replace with a semicolon

COMMAS/PUNCTUATION PT. 3
THE SEMICOLON

A semicolon can combine two sentences with a connector word in between. In this case, you will need a comma too.
SEMICOLON CONNECTOR WORD COMMA
I like to read; therefore, the library is my favorite place to visit.

COMMAS/PUNCTUATION PT. 3
THE SEMICOLON

The important thing to remember with a semicolon —
Look to the left of the semicolon.
There should be a complete sentence. Look to the right.
Another complete sentence.
If one of these isn’t true, the use of a semicolon is WRONG.

PUNCTUATION

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
6.
F. NO CHANGE
G. over, the family had returned home,
H. over the family had returned home,
J. over the family had returned home;
The evening church service was over, the family had returned home; and everyone was sitting around in the living room.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
6.
F. NO CHANGE
G. over, the family had returned home,
H. over the family had returned home,
J. over the family had returned home;
The evening church service was over, the family had returned home; and everyone was sitting around in the living room.
F is wrong. Look to the left. “The evening church service was over, the family had returned home” is NOT a sentence by itself, it is TWO sentences with a comma between them. We know we have to change it

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
6.
F. NO CHANGE
G. over, the family had returned home,
H. over the family had returned home,
J. over the family had returned home;
The evening church service was over, the family had returned home; and everyone was sitting around in the living room.
J is wrong. It takes out the comma and makes the two sentences to the left into one that doesn’t make sense– it is still two sentences. So, this choice is WRONG.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
6.
F. NO CHANGE
G. over, the family had returned home,
The evening church service was over, the family had returned home; and everyone was sitting around in the living room.
H. over the family had returned home,
J. over the family had returned home;
H is wrong. It takes out the comma and makes the two sentences to the left into one that doesn’t make sense– it is still two sentences, so taking out the comma doesn’t fix the problem. So, this choice is
WRONG.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
6.
F. NO CHANGE
G. over, the family had returned home,
H. over the family had returned home,
The evening church service was over, the family had returned home; and everyone was sitting around in the living room.
G is CORRECT. It takes out the semicolon and makes it a comma. Now we have a list.
J. over the family had returned home;
IF you know semicolons, you know it doesn’t belong anywhere in this sentence.
F and J are automatically WRONG.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
24.
F. NO CHANGE
G. Granny; however,
H. Granny, however,
J. Granny, however
Tiny’s Granny however; is very fond of her burqua because she has found a variety of innovative uses for it.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
24.
F. NO CHANGE
G. Granny; however,
H. Granny, however,
J. Granny, however
Tiny’s Granny however; is very fond of her burqua because she has found a variety of innovative uses for it.
F is WRONG. Look to the left of the semicolon in the sentence.
“Tiny’s Granny however” is NOT a complete sentence. If you know semicolon rule, you know that you can’t have that.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
24.
F. NO CHANGE
G. Granny; however ,
H. Granny, however,
J. Granny, however
Tiny’s Granny however; is very fond of her burqua because she has found a variety of innovative uses for it.
G is WRONG. Look to the left of the semicolon with this answer.
“Tiny’s Granny” is NOT a complete sentence. If you know semicolon rule, you know that you can’t have that.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
24.
F. NO CHANGE
G. Granny; however,
H. Granny, however,
J. Granny, however
Tiny’s Granny however; is very fond of her burqua because she has found a variety of innovative uses for it.
J is WRONG. Remember nonessentials?
“however” interrupts the sentence.
NONESSENTIALS have to be surrounded by commas. This choice only puts in one.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
ANSWERS Text from Passage
24.
F. NO CHANGE
G. Granny; however,
H. Granny, however,
J. Granny, however
Tiny’s Granny however; is very fond of her burqua because she has found a variety of innovative uses for it.
H is CORRECT.
NONESSENTIALS have to be surrounded by commas. This choice puts in both.
Again, if you know SEMICOLON Rule, you know automatically that F and G are
WRONG.

Examples from Practice Test 0556A
Look at QUESTIONS
#28, 32, 40, 59, AND 69.
EACH question has a choice using a semicolon. If you know the semicolon rule, you know to eliminate the choices that put one in. They put these answers in to distract you… cross them off and you have a better chance of getting it right.