Pariksha SaathiPunctuation Questions with Solutions
Punctuation questions test a handful of fixed, learnable rules — comma placement, apostrophes, and semicolons — not a feel for "what looks right." Here’s the approach, four fully worked examples, and a few to try yourself.
The approach, quickly
- Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or subordinate clause that comes before the main clause ("Although it was raining, we decided to go").
- Use an apostrophe + s for a singular possessive ("the boy’s bicycle"); for a plural noun that already ends in s, add only an apostrophe ("the boys’ bicycles"); for a plural that doesn’t end in s (like "children"), add apostrophe + s ("the children’s toys").
- Use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses when there’s no connecting word like "and" or "but" — joining them with just a comma (a "comma splice") is a common error.
- Use commas to separate three or more items in a list ("apples, bananas, and oranges").
Worked examples
1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. (A) Although it was raining we decided to go for a walk. (B) Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.
Solution
- The sentence opens with a subordinate clause ("Although it was raining") before the main clause, which needs a comma after it.
Answer: (B) Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.
2. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. (A) The childrens toys were scattered across the room. (B) The children’s toys were scattered across the room.
Solution
- "Children" is already plural and does not end in s, so its possessive is formed with apostrophe + s: "children’s".
Answer: (B) The children’s toys were scattered across the room.
3. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. (A) She finished her work quickly, she went home early. (B) She finished her work quickly; she went home early.
Solution
- These are two closely related independent clauses with no connecting word — joining them with only a comma is a comma splice; a semicolon is correct here.
Answer: (B) She finished her work quickly; she went home early.
4. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. (A) I need to buy apples, bananas, and oranges from the market. (B) I need to buy apples bananas and oranges from the market.
Solution
- Three or more items in a list need commas separating them.
Answer: (A) I need to buy apples, bananas, and oranges from the market.
Try these yourself
Identify which rule applies, then check against the answer.
1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. (A) The boys bicycle was parked outside. (B) The boy’s bicycle was parked outside.
Answer: (B) The boy’s bicycle was parked outside.
2. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. (A) Having finished the exam she left the room immediately. (B) Having finished the exam, she left the room immediately.
Answer: (B) Having finished the exam, she left the room immediately.
3. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. (A) It started to rain heavily, the match was postponed. (B) It started to rain heavily; the match was postponed.
Answer: (B) It started to rain heavily; the match was postponed.
Where this comes up
Punctuation is tested directly in the English Language section of every exam Pariksha Saathi covers — SSC CGL, SSC MTS, SSC CHSL, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO and SBI Clerk.
Practice more Punctuation questions
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