End Punctuation Worksheet

Use the text below to answer the question. Authors use punctuation marks to show you how to read their writing. Periods, question marks and exclamation points are punctuation marks. They come at the ends of sentences. They’re called end marks. They tell you to pause before reading the next sentence. Why do authors use periods, question marks and exclamation points?

• to make two sentences into one sentence
• to tell you to pause before reading the next sentence
• to tell you to keep reading without pausing

A period is an end mark that comes at the end of sentences that tell information. Telling sentences are called statements. Here’s an example: Jazmine knows five languages. This sentence states information about Jazmine, so it ends with a period. Vlad is writing a letter to give his cousin information about his new school. Choose the best punctuation mark for him to use at the end of this sentence. We have recess every day at one o’clock

• . (period)
• ? (question mark)
• ! (exclamation point)

Periods also come at the ends of sentences that tell you to do something. These sentences are called commands. In the song, the dentist says: Open your mouth. Take a drink. Gargle the water, and then spit it in the sink. These sentences tell you to do different actions, so they end with periods. Which sentence could end with a period?

• Did the TV break yesterday
• Turn off the TV
• What’s your favorite TV show

A question mark is an end mark that comes at the end of sentences that ask something. Asking sentences are called questions. Here’s an example: Where did the parrot go? This sentence asks a question about a parrot, so it ends with a question mark. Which sentence should end with a question mark?

• Don't eat any jelly beans before dinner
• Shereza ate 50 jelly beans
• How many jelly beans can I have

An exclamation point is an end mark that comes at the end of sentences that show excitement or strong feelings. These sentences are called exclamations. If you’re writing about how you’re excited to get a new puppy, you could write: I can’t wait to get a new puppy! An exclamation point can also come at the end of a command. Here’s an example: Clean the puppy’s cage! Which sentence would be best to end with an exclamation point?

• I thought the roller coaster was just OK
• Wow, that’s the tallest roller coaster I've ever seen
• Did you ever go on the big roller coaster

Sometimes, the same sentence could end with a period or an exclamation point. When you change the end mark you use, you change the meaning of a sentence. You also change how the sentence should be read. Here’s an example: The parrot is missing. This sentence ends in a period. So, you know the writer is calmly stating information about the parrot. But imagine if the sentence ended in an exclamation point: The parrot is missing! Now, you know the writer has a strong feeling about the missing parrot. He might be scared or worried because he can’t find the parrot. You’d put more feeling in your voice when you read the second sentence.Tenisha is writing in her journal about how her brother broke her action figure. She wants to show that she is very angry. Choose the best punctuation mark for her to use at the end of this sentence. Chris broke my Spiderman, and I just want to scream

• . (period)
• ? (question mark)
• ! (exclamation point)