P-2 Semicolon Review
Multiple Choice
Select the sentence that contains no errors in the use of semicolons. (Note that some of
the sentences may not require a semicolon.)
1.
a. Mythology usually deals with divinities; in contrast, folktales generally focus on
ordinary people, even if they have supernatural elements.
b. Mythology usually deals with divinities, in contrast folktales generally focus on
ordinary people, even if they have supernatural elements.
c. Mythology usually deals with divinities, in contrast; folktales generally focus on
ordinary people, even if they have supernatural elements.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
2.
a. The four mythologies that have influenced European culture are Greek and Roman
mythology, involving the gods of Mount Olympus, Mesopotamian mythology, from
the Middle East, Egyptian mythology, in which the sun plays a central role, and
Norse mythology from Scandinavia.
b. The four mythologies that have influenced European culture are Greek and Roman
mythology, involving the gods of Mount Olympus; Mesopotamian mythology, from
the Middle East; Egyptian mythology, in which the sun plays a central role, and
Norse mythology from Scandinavia.
c. The four mythologies that have influenced European culture are Greek and Roman
mythology, involving the gods of Mount Olympus; Mesopotamian mythology, from
the Middle East; Egyptian mythology, in which the sun plays a central role; and
Norse mythology from Scandinavia.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
3.
a. The ancient Greeks and Romans shared gods; although they gave the gods different
names, for example, the goddess of love was Aphrodite to the ancient Greeks but
Venus to the ancient Romans.
b. The ancient Greeks and Romans shared gods, although they gave the gods different
names, for example; the goddess of love was Aphrodite to the ancient Greeks but
Venus to the ancient Romans.
c. The ancient Greeks and Romans shared gods, although they gave the gods different
names; for example, the goddess of love was Aphrodite to the ancient Greeks but
Venus to the ancient Romans.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
4.
a. Both Greeks and Romans called the god of the sun Apollo; but they had different
names for the goddess of the hunt; Artemis and Diana, respectively.
b. Both Greeks and Romans called the god of the sun Apollo, but they had different
names for the goddess of the hunt: Artemis and Diana, respectively.
c. Both Greeks and Romans called the god of the sun Apollo, but they had different
names for the goddess of the hunt, Artemis; and Diana; respectively.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
5.
a. The classical goddess of war was known to Greeks as Athena and to Romans as
Minerva; in addition, the Greeks and Romans also had a god of war—Ares, or Mars.
b. The classical goddess of war was known to Greeks as Athena; and to Romans as
Minerva; in addition, the Greeks and Romans also had a god of war—Ares, or Mars.
c. The classical goddess of war was known to Greeks as Athena and to Romans as
Minerva, in addition, the Greeks and Romans also had a god of war—Ares, or Mars.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
6.
a. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Zeus, or Jupiter, was in charge of the
sky, Poseidon, or Neptune, was god of the sea, and Hades, or Pluto, was god of the
underworld.
b. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Zeus, or Jupiter, was in charge of the
sky; Poseidon, or Neptune, was god of the sea; and Hades, or Pluto, was god of the
underworld.
c. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Zeus, or Jupiter; was in charge of the
sky; Poseidon, or Neptune; was god of the sea, and Hades, or Pluto; was god of the
underworld.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
7.
a. Dionysus was god of the vine and, therefore, of wine, his Roman name was Bacchus.
b. Dionysus was god of the vine, and; therefore, of wine, his Roman name was Bacchus.
c. Dionysus was god of the vine and, therefore, of wine; his Roman name was Bacchus.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
8.
a. Mesopotamian mythology developed among the Sumerians and then evolved through
the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.
b. Mesopotamian mythology developed among the Sumerians; and then evolved
through the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.
c. Mesopotamian mythology developed among the Sumerians and then evolved through
the Akkadians; Babylonians; and Assyrians.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
9.
a. Among the better-known figures of Egyptian mythology are the husband-wife,
brother-sister pair Osiris and Isis, the former is god of the underworld and judge of
the dead, while the latter is goddess of love.
b. Among the better-known figures of Egyptian mythology are the husband-wife,
brother-sister pair Osiris and Isis; the former is god of the underworld and judge of
the dead; while the latter is goddess of love.
c. Among the better-known figures of Egyptian mythology are the husband-wife,
brother-sister pair Osiris and Isis; the former is god of the underworld and judge of
the dead, while the latter is goddess of love.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
10.
a. The in Norse theory of the universe included Asgard, the realm of the gods, Midgard,
the realm of humans, Hel, the underworld, and Valhalla, where slain warriors go to
live with the immortal gods.
b. The Norse theory of the universe included Asgard, the realm of the gods; Midgard,
the realm of humans; Hel, the underworld; and Valhalla, where slain warriors go to
live with the immortal gods.
c. The Norse theory of the universe included Asgard, the realm of the gods, Midgard,
the realm of humans, Hel, the underworld; and Valhalla, where slain warriors go to
live with the immortal gods.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
P-2a Semicolons between Independent Clauses
Multiple Choice
Some of the following sentences need a semicolon to separate independent clauses.
Select the correct instruction.
1. Before the Industrial Revolution in the seventeenth century, sources of power were
limited, specifically, humans relied on themselves, animals, wind, and water.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the comma between limited and specifically with a semicolon.
c. Replace the comma after century with a semicolon.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
2. Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729) and James Watt (1736-1819) developed the steam
engine. Many years later, George Stephenson (1781-1848) used a steam engine in a
vehicle that rode on iron rails.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the comma after later with a semicolon.
c. Put a semicolon after vehicle.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
3. Industrialization thrived in England, where factories replaced home manufacturing,
industrialization came into its own, though, in the United States.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the comma between England and where with a semicolon.
c. Replace the comma between manufacturing and industrialization with a semicolon.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
4. One key inventor in the United States was Robert Fulton; who brought affordable
steamboat travel to New York state; another was Cyrus Hall McCormick, who invented
the indispensable reaper.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the semicolon between Fulton and who with a comma.
c. Replace the semicolon between state and another with a comma.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
5. The most important accomplishment in the development of railroads in the United
States was the completion of the first transcontinental track. In May 1869, seven years
after President Lincoln had signed the Pacific Railway Act, the final spike for it was
hammered into place in Promontory Point, Oregon.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the comma after 1869 with a semicolon.
c. Replace the comma after Act with a semicolon.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
6. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, perhaps the greatest invention of all
time, following up on Bell’s invention, Theodore Newton Vail envisioned all parts of the
country being linked by one telephone system.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the comma between telephone and perhaps with a semicolon.
c. Replace the comma after time with a semicolon.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
7. In 1878, Thomas Alva Edison invented the carbon microphone, it was used in every
telephone until the 1980s.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the comma after 1878 with a semicolon.
c. Replace the comma after microphone with a semicolon.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
8. Kingpins in brick-and-mortar retail operations included John Wanamaker and Frank
Winfield Woolworth, their successful counterparts in mail-order retail were Aaron
Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, and Alvah Curtis Roebuck.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the comma after Woolworth with a semicolon.
c. Replace the comma between Ward and Richard with a semicolon.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
9. Three men were major players in the early packaged goods industry: W. K. Kellogg
and C. W. Post produced cereal, and King Camp Gillette packaged safety razor blades.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the colon after industry with a semicolon.
c. Replace the comma after cereal with a semicolon.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
10. Even in the early days of consumer marketing, brand identification was important, for
example, Procter and Gamble launched Ivory soap and Crisco vegetable shortening.
a. Leave as is.
b. Replace the comma after important with a semicolon.
c. Replace the comma after marketing with a semicolon.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=63>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2a.html>
P-2b Semicolons in a Series with Commas
Multiple Choice
Some of the following sentences have errors involving semicolons in a series. Select the
answer that uses punctuation correctly. If the original sentence is correct, select c. No
change.
1. Before the Industrial Revolution, sources of power were limited to wind, which could
move sailing ships; water, which could turn wheels; humans, who could push and pull;
and animals, which could push and pull as well as transport people.
a. Before the Industrial Revolution, sources of power were limited to wind, which could
move sailing ships, water, which could turn wheels, humans, who could push and
pull, and animals, which could push and pull as well as transport people.
b. Before the Industrial Revolution, sources of power were limited to wind; which could
move sailing ships; water; which could turn wheels; humans; who could push and
pull; and animals, which could push and pull as well as transport people.
c. No change.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
2. Three inventors who worked on the steam engine were Thomas Newcomen (16631729); James Watt (1736-1819); and George Stephenson (1781-1848).
a. Three inventors who worked on the steam engine were Thomas Newcomen (16631729), James Watt (1736-1819), and George Stephenson (1781-1848).
b. Three inventors who worked on the steam engine were Thomas Newcomen, (16631729); James Watt, (1736-1819); and George Stephenson, (1781-1848).
c. No change.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
3. Industrialization thrived in England, where factories replaced home manufacturing, in
France, which started science, technology, and engineering schools, and in the United
States, which had a vast pool of laborers and consumers.
a. Industrialization thrived in England, where factories replaced home manufacturing; in
France, which started science, technology, and engineering schools, and in the United
States, which had a vast pool of laborers and consumers.
b. Industrialization thrived in England, where factories replaced home manufacturing; in
France, which started science, technology, and engineering schools; and in the United
States, which had a vast pool of laborers and consumers.
c. No change.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
4. Inventors who were crucial to U.S. industrialization included Robert Fulton, who
brought affordable steamboat travel to New York state, Eli Whitney, who still gets credit
for inventing the cotton gin, and Cyrus Hall McCormick, who invented the indispensable
reaper.
a. Inventors who were crucial to U.S. industrialization included Robert Fulton, who
brought affordable steamboat travel to New York state; Eli Whitney, who still gets
credit for inventing the cotton gin, and Cyrus Hall McCormick, who invented the
indispensable reaper.
b. Inventors who were crucial to U.S. industrialization included Robert Fulton, who
brought affordable steamboat travel to New York state; Eli Whitney, who still gets
credit for inventing the cotton gin; and Cyrus Hall McCormick, who invented the
indispensable reaper.
c. No change.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
5. Following the lead of Thomas Edison’s company, several other American companies
created their own research-and-development labs, including DuPont, the chemical
company, Parke-Davis, the pharmaceutical company, and Eastman Kodak, the film and
camera company.
a. Following the lead of Thomas Edison’s company, several other American companies
created their own research-and-development labs, including DuPont, the chemical
company; Parke-Davis, the pharmaceutical company; and Eastman Kodak, the film
and camera company.
b. Following the lead of Thomas Edison’s company, several other American companies
created their own research-and-development labs, including DuPont; the chemical
company; Parke-Davis; the pharmaceutical company; and Eastman Kodak; the film
and camera company.
c. No change.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
6. Samuel F. B. Morse, who invented the telegraph, Alexander Graham Bell, who
developed the telephone, perhaps the greatest invention of all time, and Theodore Newton
Vail, who foresaw a nationwide telephone system, were responsible for a revolution in
communications.
a. Samuel F. B. Morse, who invented the telegraph; Alexander Graham Bell, who
developed the telephone, perhaps the greatest invention of all time; and Theodore
Newton Vail, who foresaw a nationwide telephone system, were responsible for a
revolution in communications.
b. Samuel F. B. Morse, who invented the telegraph; Alexander Graham Bell, who
developed the telephone; perhaps the greatest invention of all time; and Theodore
Newton Vail, who foresaw a nationwide telephone system; were responsible for a
revolution in communications.
c. No change.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
7. Among the top entrepreneurs in nineteenth-century America were the financier John
Pierpont Morgan, the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, and the industrialist John D.
Rockefeller.
a. Among the top entrepreneurs in nineteenth-century America were the financier John
Pierpont Morgan; the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie; and the industrialist John D.
Rockefeller.
b. Among the top entrepreneurs in nineteenth-century America were; the financier John
Pierpont Morgan; the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, and the industrialist John D.
Rockefeller.
c. No change.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
8. On the retail scene appeared John Wanamaker, who created the first department store,
Frank Winfield Woolworth, who appealed to those looking for lower-priced
merchandise; and Aaron Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, and Alvah Curtis Roebuck,
who developed the mail-order business.
a. On the retail scene appeared John Wanamaker, who created the first department store,
Frank Winfield Woolworth, who appealed to those looking for lower-priced
merchandise, and Aaron Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, and Alvah Curtis
Roebuck; who developed the mail-order business.
b. On the retail scene appeared John Wanamaker, who created the first department store;
Frank Winfield Woolworth, who appealed to those looking for lower-priced
merchandise; and Aaron Montgomery Ward, Richard Sears, and Alvah Curtis
Roebuck, who developed the mail-order business.
c. No change.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
9. Packaged goods began to sweep the market through the innovations and marketing of
W. K. Kellogg and C. W. Post, who produced cereal; the two attorneys who introduced
bottled Coca-Cola to America; and King Camp Gillette, who brought razor blades to the
multitudes.
a. Packaged goods began to sweep the market through the innovations and marketing of
W. K. Kellogg and C. W. Post, who produced cereal, the two attorneys who
introduced bottled Coca-Cola to America, and King Camp Gillette, who brought
razor blades to the multitudes.
b. Packaged goods began to sweep the market through the innovations and marketing of
W. K. Kellogg and C. W. Post; who produced cereal; the two attorneys; who
introduced bottled Coca-Cola to America; and King Camp Gillette; who brought
razor blades to the multitudes.
c. No change.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>
10. The next step in marketing was establishing brands, the route followed for products
such as Ivory soap; Crisco vegetable shortening; and Sunlight laundry detergent.
a. The next step in marketing was establishing brands, the route followed for products
such as Ivory soap, Crisco vegetable shortening, and Sunlight laundry detergent.
b. The next step in marketing was establishing brands, the route followed for products
such as Ivory, soap; Crisco, vegetable shortening; and Sunlight, laundry detergent.
c. No change.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see P-2b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=64>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see P-2b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/p-2b.html>