'The shop was shut; we went home.' Which joining word could replace the semi-colon if you used a comma too?

• but
• because
• so

How should you join these two complete clauses into one sentence? 'The storm passed. The sky turned clear.'

• The storm passed: the sky turned clear.
• The storm passed; the sky turned clear.
• The storm passed, the sky turned clear.

Read: 'There was only one thing left to do: say sorry.' What does the colon tell the reader?

• The sentence is about to end.
• A question is coming next.
• An explanation of the first clause is coming next.

Which sentence correctly uses a semi-colon?

• It was late; the streets were empty.
• It was late; the streets, were empty.
• It was late the; streets were empty.

Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce an explanation?

• The plan worked: we reached the top before noon.
• The plan worked, we reached the top before noon.
• The plan worked: and we reached the top before noon.

Sam wrote: 'The match was over, the crowd cheered.' What is the simplest way to fix his sentence?

• Take out the comma and leave nothing
• Change the comma to a semi-colon
• Change the comma to a question mark

Priya wants the strongest, most dramatic pause in this sentence: 'We searched everywhere ___ there it was, under the sofa.' Which mark should she use?

• A semi-colon (;)
• A comma (,)
• A dash (-)

A pair of dashes can wrap an extra thought in the middle of a sentence to make it stand out.

Circle one:   True   False

Which sentence still makes sense if you lift out the part between the dashes?

• Our - coach the tall one - smiled at us.
• Our coach - the tall one - she smiled at us.
• Our coach - the tall one - smiled at us.

Which of these sentences is punctuated incorrectly?

• The bell rang; everyone hurried out.
• Mina had one wish: to see the sea.
• The dog barked; loudly at the carrier.