SHSAT ELA · Revising/Editing
Punctuation Practice
Commas, semicolons, colons, and apostrophes. This is one of the skills tested on the SHSAT; the 2026 exam is computer-based with 50 ELA questions in a 90-minute section. Try the samples below, then practice the full topic with instant feedback and explanations.
Free sample questions
Question 1
Which punctuation change, if any, is needed in sentence 5?
- ARemove the comma after "surface"
- BThe sentence is correct as written
- CAdd a comma after "energy"
- DAdd a comma after "addition"
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
Sentence 5 is correctly punctuated. "In addition" at the start is followed by a comma (implied in the sentence construction), and the sentence flows properly. No changes are needed.
Question 2
Read this sentence.
The athletes who trained the hardest, were the ones who performed best at the competition.
Which edit should be made to correct the sentence?
- AAdd a comma after 'ones'
- BNo change is needed.
- CRemove the comma after 'hardest'
- DChange the period to an exclamation point
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
A restrictive clause ('who trained the hardest') should not be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. The comma after 'hardest' incorrectly breaks the sentence. B adds an unnecessary comma. C changes the tone inappropriately. D is wrong because the comma error exists.
Question 3
Which punctuation change, if any, is needed in sentence 2?
- AAdd a comma after "Europe"
- BRemove the comma after "hand"
- CThe sentence is correct as written
- DAdd a semicolon after "hand"
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
Sentence 2 is correctly punctuated. The comma after "hand" appropriately introduces the appositive phrase "a slow and expensive process that limited access to written knowledge." No changes are needed.
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