Special Agent Entrance Practice Exam

Which of the following sentences contains a correct use of a semi-colon?

1. He runs fast, he is a champion

2. She loves ice cream; especially chocolate

3. I read books; I enjoy stories

4. This is my cat; it is called Whiskers

The correct answer is: I read books; I enjoy stories

The use of a semi-colon is appropriate when connecting two independent clauses that are closely related but could stand as separate sentences. In the correct choice, both parts before and after the semi-colon ("I read books" and "I enjoy stories") are complete thoughts that can stand alone as sentences. This relationship illustrates a connection between the act of reading and the enjoyment of stories. In contrast, the first option does not use a semi-colon correctly, as it includes a comma instead, failing to connect two independent clauses appropriately. The second option misuses the semi-colon because it does not separate two independent clauses; the second part ("especially chocolate") cannot stand alone as a complete thought. The last option also contains two independent clauses, but it should use a comma instead of a semi-colon because the second part provides additional information about the first, rather than serving as a standalone idea.