Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D correctly uses quotation marks to indicate the specific phrase 'the storm of a century.' In this sentence, the indirect quote is highlighted within the quotation marks. Choices A, B, and C do not correctly use quotation marks with an indirect quote. Choice A incorrectly places a comma inside the quotation marks, which should be outside. Choice B does not have any quotation marks around the indirect quote. Choice C uses double quotation marks unnecessarily around the indirect quote.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of quotation marks involves enclosing the exact words of a speaker, with punctuation placed inside the quotes. Choice A is the correct answer as it correctly uses quotation marks to enclose the spoken words 'Did you finish your homework?' with the appropriate punctuation inside the quotes. Choices B, C, and D incorrectly position the quotation marks or omit necessary punctuation, making them grammatically incorrect. In choice B, the closing quotation mark is missing. In choice C, the punctuation is placed outside the closing quotation mark, and in choice D, the quotation mark is incorrectly placed after 'homework,' disrupting the flow of the quoted speech.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The sentence follows the rules of punctuation and capitalization for dialogue.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of a semicolon is to join two closely related independent clauses. Choice A is the only option that correctly uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses: 'I have a big test tomorrow' and 'I can't go out tonight.' Choice B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a semicolon. Choice C adds an unnecessary 'and' after the semicolon, which disrupts the correct punctuation usage. Choice D introduces a contradictory conjunction 'but' after the semicolon, which is not necessary for the given context. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'After the game.' A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and its object, describing a relationship in time, location, or direction. In this case, 'After' is the preposition, and 'the game' is its object, making it a prepositional phrase. Choices B, C, and D do not contain prepositional phrases. Choice B, 'Running fast,' is a gerund phrase with an adverb modifying a verb. Choice C, 'She sings,' is a subject-verb sentence construction. Choice D, 'Can you help me?' is an interrogative sentence asking for assistance.