which sentence used correct punctuation?

Answer:
A is correct.
Explanation:
Colons are used to show that something is following, like a list. Semicolons are used to link two independent clauses, which can stand by itself as a complete sentence, together.
B should use a a colon because the first part of the sentence is not independent.
C should use a colon because quotes always use colons.
D should use a semicolon because the two clauses are independent.
Hope this helps :)