Y6 SATs Smasher Brackets and Dashes

Why have brackets been used in the sentence below? Mr Simpson is really funny.

• to give additional information

• to show the writer’s opinion

• to introduce a noun phrase

• to link two clauses together

Insert a pair of brackets in the correct place in the sentence below. (a)   Sarah caught her bus (b)   the number 25 just in time.

• before

• after

• during

• instead

Tick one box to show where a dash is needed in the sentence below. My dad is buying me a present on Saturday (a)   it’s a surprise.

• before

• after

• none

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Tick one.

• The field behind – my house – is great for sledging.

• The field behind my house – is great – for sledging.

• The field – behind my house – is great for sledging.

• The field – behind my house is great – for sledging.

What is the name of the punctuation marks on either side of the words ‘chocolate buttons’ in the sentence below? I bought my favourite sweets (chocolate buttons) as a treat.

• Brackets

• Quotation marks

• Commas

• Hyphens

What is the name of a different punctuation mark that could be used correctly in the same places?

• Comma

• Semicolon

• Colon

• Dash

Which two sentences use punctuation to show parenthesis? Tick two.

• The weather today (dry and sunny) was great for a trip to the beach.

• On Thursday, we will go for a bike ride.

• Queen Elizabeth II ruled from 1952-2022.

• Jack asked Zac – his best friend – to play Minecraft with him.

Insert a pair of dashes in the correct place in the sentence below. In the next part of the book chapters 6 and 7 we meet three new characters.

• In the next part of the book – chapters 6 and 7 – we meet three new characters.

• In the next part of the book chapters – 6 and 7 we meet three new characters.

• In the next part of the book chapters 6 – and 7 – we meet three new characters.

• In the next part of the book chapters 6 and – 7 we meet three new characters.

Write the name of the punctuation that could be used instead of commas in the sentence below. Sam and Olly, my friends from school, are coming to my house to play.

• parentheses

• semicolons

• colons

• dashes

Insert a pair of brackets in the correct place in the sentence below. The hotel is a short walk around one kilometre away from the beach.