Punctuation Lesson#2

1.  "Do you really think computers will rule the world?" her psychologist asked.
A question mark is needed when a direct question is asked.
A period is used to end a statement.

2.  She asked why she needed to know about grammar.
A period is needed because this is an indirect question.

3.  She believed him when Jacob told her 'gullible' wasn't in the dictionary!
Some phrases, sentences, and commands that are sarcastic in nature may or may not need an exclamation point. Depends on the tone the author wants to convey.

4.  "The World Trade Center collapsed!" he shouted.
Emphatic commands and exclamations require exclamation points.
In quotes, the exclamation mark is placed inside of the quotation marks.
A period is used to end a statement.

5.  Have you filed for admission to nursing school?
A question mark is needed when a direct question is asked.

6.  Stephen wondered why the chicken crossed the road.
A period is needed when asking an indirect question.

7.  "Carla called and said she would be late."
A period is needed to end a statement.
A period goes inside the quotation marks.

8.  How can you talk to me like that.
A rhetorical question requires a period.

9.  We watch traffic accidents with a morbid fascination.
A period is need to end a statement.

10.  "Step away from the car!" the FBI agent shouted.
Emphatic commands and exclamations require exclamation points.
In quotes, an exclamation point is placed inside of the quotation marks.
A period is needed to end a statement.

11.  The drug dealers were raided by the DEA.
Familiar initals do not need a period.
A period is needed to end a statement.

12.  By the end of the term, I will be a M.D.
When an abbreviation with a period ends a sentence, the second period is not necessary.

13.  Do you honestly expect me to eat this.
A period is needed for a rhetorical question.

14.  Sheltered in his arms, she wondered if he was telling her the truth.
A period is needed for a rhetorical question.

15.  How do we know the suit with the mirrored sunglasses is CIA?
A question mark is needed to ask a direct question.

16.  The waiter asked if the screaming baby was bothering us.
A period is needed when giving an indirect request.

17.  She is so catty.
Some phrases, sentences, and commands that are sarcastic in nature may or may not need an exclamation point. Depends on what tone the writer wants to convey.

18.  They were from Birmingham, AL.
A two-letter state abbreviation has no periods and has both letters in upper case.
A period is needed to end a statement.

19.  "Did you just hang up on him?" she laughed.
If a spoken question if followed by unspoken words, the question mark goes inside of the quotation marks.
A period is needed to end a statement.

20.  Marge did the upholstery cleaning, the mopping, and the vacuuming.  I hid the body!
A period is needed to end a statement.
Some phrases, sentences, and commands that are sarcastic in nature may or may not need an exclamation point. Depends on what tone the writer wants to convey.