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:

Analyze option 1

The first option, "Many people are squeamish around, insects, and rodents.", incorrectly places a comma between the preposition "around" and its objects "insects" and "rodents".

Analyze option 2

The second option, "Our instructor taught us techniques (to help us) master welding.", uses parentheses around "to help us", which is an essential infinitive phrase modifying "techniques" rather than non-essential, parenthetical information.

Analyze option 3

The third option, "Upon hearing her diagnosis, she was filled with one emotion: relief.", correctly uses an introductory comma after the prepositional phrase and uses a colon to introduce a single-word emphasis/explanation ("relief") following a complete independent clause.

Analyze option 4

The fourth option, "The children in her afterschool class tend to be immature (and silly).", places parentheses around "and silly", which unnaturally splits the coordinate adjectives describing the children.

Answer:

• (A) Many people are squeamish around, insects, and rodents.
• (B) Our instructor taught us techniques (to help us) master welding.
• (C) Upon hearing her diagnosis, she was filled with one emotion: relief. (Correct answer)
• (D) The children in her afterschool class tend to be immature (and silly).