Punctuation and Sentence Structure: TEAS Practice Question with Answer & Explanation
An original TEAS 7-style english practice question, written for nursing-school applicants — with a full breakdown of every answer choice.
Question
Which of the following paragraphs is grammatically correct?
- A.The arctic fox changes its coat color with the seasons, which helps it remain camouflaged in the snow. During the summer, its fur turns a brown or grayish hue; however, the winter months see it return to a stark white color to blend with the tundra.Correct
- B.The arctic fox changes its coat color with the seasons, which helps it remain camouflaged in the snow. During the summer, its fur turns a brown or grayish hue, however; the winter months see it return to a stark white color to blend with the tundra.
- C.The arctic fox changes its coat color with the seasons which helps it remain camouflaged in the snow. During the summer, its fur turns a brown or grayish hue however the winter months see it return to a stark white color to blend with the tundra.
- D.The arctic fox changes its coat color with the seasons, which helps it remain camouflaged in the snow. During the summer, its fur turns a brown or grayish hue, however the winter months see it return to a stark white color to blend with the tundra.
Correct answer: A. The correct choice uses a semicolon before and a comma after 'however' to properly join two independent clauses.
Understanding Punctuation with Conjunctive Adverbs
To succeed on the TEAS 7 English section, you must master the rules governing how sentences are joined. This question tests your ability to identify the correct use of commas and semicolons, specifically when using a conjunctive adverb (like "however") to join two independent clauses.
Why Choice A is Correct
Choice A uses a semicolon and a comma correctly to manage two distinct thoughts. Let's break down the second sentence:
- Independent Clause 1: "During the summer, its fur turns a brown or grayish hue."
- Transition: "; however,"
- Independent Clause 2: "the winter months see it return to a stark white color to blend with the tundra."
When you use words like however, therefore, moreover, or consequently to connect two complete thoughts, you must place a semicolon before the word and a comma after it. This prevents a "run-on" or "comma splice" error. Furthermore, the first sentence uses a comma before the relative clause "which helps it...", which is correct as it provides non-essential (parenthetical) information.
Analyzing the Incorrect Choices
- Choice B is incorrect because the semicolon is placed after "however" instead of before it. The punctuation "..., however; ..." creates a fragment and disrupts the flow between the two independent clauses.
- Choice C contains multiple errors. It is missing a comma before "which" in the first sentence. In the second sentence, it completely lacks the necessary semicolon and comma around "however," resulting in a massive run-on sentence.
- Choice D is a classic comma splice. It uses only a comma before "however." In English grammar, a comma alone is not strong enough to join two independent clauses when a conjunctive adverb is used. This is one of the most common errors tested on the TEAS.
TEAS Concept: The "Semicolon + However + Comma" Rule
The TEAS exam frequently asks questions that require you to distinguish between "FANBOYS" (coordinating conjunctions) and conjunctive adverbs.
- FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so): Use a comma before these (e.g., "It was cold, so I wore a coat.").
- Conjunctive Adverbs (however, therefore, etc.): Use a semicolon before and a comma after (e.g., "It was cold**; however,** I did not wear a coat.").
Memory Tip
Think of the semicolon as a "heavy-duty" glue. Because "however" is a heavy, multi-syllable word, it needs that heavy-duty semicolon to hold the two sentences together!
Quick study tip: Whenever you see 'however' in the middle of a sentence, check if there is a complete thought on both sides; if so, you almost always need a semicolon before it.
Ready to practice more TEAS English questions?
Test yourself on the full TEAS english question bank — with instant scoring, explanations, and progress tracking.
More TEAS English practice questions
Learn more about TEAS English
Review the wider topic with these closely related study guides and practice resources.
TEAS English Practice Guide
Review grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and writing.
TEAS 7 English Practice Test
Recall language rules with short examples and answers.
Complete TEAS Question Bank
Apply grammar and language rules within a complete TEAS practice plan.
What Grammar Questions Are on TEAS 7?
Learn which conventions and language skills are tested.