Colons, semicolons and dashes
Grade 6: colon before a list, semicolon between linked clauses, dash for a pause, bullet points, hyphens (man-eating).
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Questions
Which sentence uses a colon correctly before a list?
- You will need three things a pen: a ruler and glue.
- You will need three things: a pen, a ruler and glue.
- You will: need three things a pen, a ruler and glue.
- You: will need three things a pen, a ruler and glue.
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You will need three things: a pen, a ruler and glue.Which mark fills the gap? We packed three items for camp ___ a torch, a hat and a towel.
- '
- ,
- :
- ?
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:A colon can introduce a list after a complete opening clause. (True or false?)
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TrueWhich sentence has a colon in the correct place?
- We bought three fruits apples: pears and plums.
- We bought three fruits: apples, pears and plums.
- We bought three: fruits apples, pears and plums.
- We bought: three fruits apples, pears and plums.
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We bought three fruits: apples, pears and plums.Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly between linked clauses?
- It was raining, we; stayed inside.
- It was raining; and stayed inside.
- It was raining; we stayed inside.
- It was; raining we stayed inside.
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It was raining; we stayed inside.A semicolon can join two main clauses that are closely related in meaning. (True or false?)
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TrueWhich sentence needs a semicolon, not a comma, to be punctuated correctly?
- The bell rang, and the children lined up.
- The bell rang, loudly.
- The bell rang, the children lined up.
- When the bell rang, the children lined up.
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The bell rang, the children lined up.Which sentence uses a dash to show a pause or afterthought?
- I opened the box it – was empty!
- I opened the box – it was empty!
- I opened the – box it was empty!
- I opened – the box it was empty!
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I opened the box – it was empty!What are bullet points mainly used for?
- Ending every sentence
- Joining two clauses
- Showing a character is speaking
- Showing items in a list clearly
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Showing items in a list clearlyWhich phrase correctly uses a hyphen?
- a man eating-shark
- a man-eating shark
- a man-eating-shark
- a-man eating shark
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a man-eating sharkA hyphen is the same length and job as a dash used for a pause. (True or false?)
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FalseWhich hyphenated phrase is correct for a girl who is ten years old?
- a ten year-old girl
- a ten-year old girl
- a ten-year-old girl
- a-ten-year old girl
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a ten-year-old girlWhich mark best fits? Tom loves football ___ his sister prefers swimming.
- ,
- :
- ;
- ?
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;Which punctuation mark goes after 'You need three things' before a list? (Answer out loud)
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A colonWhich mark joins the two words in 'a well-known actor'? (Answer out loud)
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A hyphenWhy does 'a well-known actor' use a hyphen? (Answer out loud)
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It joins two words that work together as one describing word
Play it as a game
Mystery PictureEvery right answer removes a piece. Name the picture first for a big bonus.
Tile GrabAnswer right to flip a tile. Points, stars, bombs and magnets that steal points.
Dare BoardPick a tile first: 1 to 5 points, and the higher the tile, the harder the question. One tile is a Double dare!
Prize ClimbAnswer right to climb ten prize steps, then bank your stars or climb on. Three lifelines help.