MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the MTEL Communication Literacy Skills Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each providing hints and explanations. Get fully equipped for your exam!

Practice this question and more.

When should a semicolon be used in relation to conjunctive adverbs?

To separate a list of items
To connect two independent clauses
To head a quote
To start a new paragraph

The correct answer is: To connect two independent clauses

A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses, which are sentences that can stand alone but are related in thought. When a conjunctive adverb like "however," "therefore," or "nevertheless" appears between two independent clauses, a semicolon is placed before the conjunctive adverb to create a smooth transition between the thoughts. For example, in the sentence "I wanted to go for a walk; however, it started to rain," the semicolon effectively links the two related ideas while the conjunctive adverb clarifies the relationship between them. This usage enhances clarity and ensures that the reader understands the connection between the two statements without causing confusion that might arise from using just a comma or a period. The other options do not accurately reflect the function of a semicolon. While lists have their own punctuation rules, quotations require different punctuation altogether, and starting a new paragraph pertains more to formatting than to the use of semicolons. Hence, the correct choice highlights the appropriate application of semicolons in writing.