Y8 Punctuation Assessment

Using commas between items

Question 1 - Highlight the sentence that is correctly punctuated with commas

- 1 point

• We are going to be wearing dresses that are green and blue, purple and red, and polka dot.

• The ice cream comes in an assortment of flavours including banana and strawberry, strawberry and mango and blueberry.

Using commas before certain conjunctions

Question 2 - Highlight the sentence that is correctly punctuated with commas

- 1 point

• I may consider your plan or I may ignore it.

• Applicants must be able to tell jokes and sing, and they must be able to dance.

• A little dog can scare a rabbit but it takes a big one to catch it.

• We make a living by what we get, yet we make a life by what we give.

Using commas to separate non-essential information in a sentence

Question 3 - Highlight the sentences that are either correctly punctuated with commas, or are correctly punctuated without commas they don’t need

2 correct answers - 2 points

• The tourists, eating ice cream cones, were not allowed into the museum until they finished eating.

• My cell phone, ringing loudly, has vanished into my backpack.

• The television with the broken screen needs to be recycled.

• My friend, Elizabeth, is one of the nicest people I know.

Colons

Question 3 - Highlight the sentences that show the correct use of a colon

2 correct answers - 2 points

• The people selected are: Fred Bloggs, Joe Bloggs, and John Doe

• The following people have been selected: Fred Bloggs, Joe Bloggs, and John Doe.

• The winners are the following: John, Sarah, and Simon.

• I like: burgers, shakes and fries.

Colons and lists

Question 4 - Highlight the sentences that show the correct use of a colon

2 correct answers - 2 points

• I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour.

• I bought: a pencil, a highlighter and a ruler at the supermarket.

• The following are required: wet suits, fins, snorkels.

• Please bring: wet suits, fins and snorkels.

Colons and explanations

Question 5 - Highlight the sentence that shows the correct use of a colon

- 1 point

• I would like to change just one part of your draft, the words.

• There are two reasons why I don't believe the alibi: there is no visa in his passport, and he is terrified of flying.

• I would like to change just one aspect of your draft: then you can publish it.

Semicolons

Question 6 - Highlight the sentences that show the correct use of a semicolon

3 correct answers - 3 points

• Taylor hates taking the train on Fridays; platform 24 is always overcrowded.

• Cannibals don’t eat clowns; they taste strange.

• I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; because if I had listened to it I might not have made some of my most valuable mistakes.

• She broke her toe; as a result, the game was cancelled.