Question

which is the best use of punctuation?
many people are squeamish around, insects, and rodents.
our instructor taught us techniques (to help us) master welding.
upon hearing her diagnosis, she was filled with one emotion: relief.
the children in her afterschool class tend to be immature (and silly)

Explanation:

• "Many people are squeamish around, insects, and rodents" has an incorrect comma placement before "insects".
• "Our instructor taught us techniques (to help us) master welding" - parentheses are mis - used; it should be a more natural way of expressing the purpose, like "Our instructor taught us techniques to help us master welding".
• "The children in her afterschool class tend to be immature (and silly)" - parentheses are unnecessary; "The children in her after - school class tend to be immature and silly" is better.
• "Upon hearing her diagnosis, she was filled with one emotion: relief" correctly uses a comma to separate the introductory phrase and a colon to introduce the explanation of the emotion.

Answer:

Upon hearing her diagnosis, she was filled with one emotion: relief.