Word-level punctuation – self-assessment

[2016 note: The links to individual answers no longer work, and the general answer file is not helpful.]

• Back to the main discussion of sentence-level punctuation
• Apostrophes
• Hyphens
• Capital letters

Exercise 1. Apostrophes

Each of these sentences has at least one apostrophe missing.Click on the place where an apostrophe is missing.

1. All the girl_s_ desk_s_ have been cleared.
2. The roof_s_ leaking because it_s_ tiles are porous.
3. That_ll_ be the day I_m planning to leave.
4. The men_s_ conversation is about game_s_ as always.
5. The baby_s_ name is Thomas; it_s a family name.
6. Who_se teacher is the one who_s away?
7. The Berger_s_ were friend_s_ of my father_s_.
8. It_s_ likely that it_s roots are damaged.

Exercise 2. Hyphens

Each of these sentences has a hyphen missing. Click on the spot where it should be.

1. The runner_up was awarded a silver_medal.
2. Just in_case, the dentist took an X_ray of my mouth.
3. It was a last_minute decision to go to London last_night.
4. It was one_hundred and forty_five kilometres from Big_Ben.
5. The soldiers suffered really_heavy casualties following a pre_emptive strike by the enemy.
6. The study of pre_1914 texts is compulsory in the National_ Curriculum.
7. A classical_history specialist applied for the history_post.

Exercise 3. Capital Letters

Which of the following words should be written with initial capital letters? Click the spelling which is correct.

1. William – william
2. Chemistry – chemistry
3. October – october
4. Winter – winter
5. Diwali – diwali
6. Latin – latin
7. Cathedral – cathedral
8. French literature – french literature
9. Tuesday – tuesday