Commas, colons and semi-colons
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Question Sheet
Past Paper 2013
Level 3-5
Question 43
1
Insert a pair of commas in the sentence below to make the meaning clearer.
Computer games which can be fun to play are also very time-consuming.
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2013 sample
Level 3-5
Question 22
2
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
Tick one
As it was raining so hard, we weren't able to visit the castle.
As it was raining so hard we weren't able, to visit the castle.
As it was raining, so hard we, weren't able to visit the castle.
As, it was raining so hard, we weren't able to visit the castle.
1 mark(s)
Page 1 of 9
Past Paper 2013
Level 6
Question 5
3
A pair of commas can be used to separate words or groups of words and clarify the
meaning of a sentence.
Insert a pair of commas in each sentence below.
The teacher however was not amused.
The novel which is a fantastic story only took me two days to read.
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2013 sample
Level 6
Question 1
4
A pair of commas can be used to separate words or groups of words and to clarify the
meaning of a sentence.
Insert a pair of commas to clarify each sentence below.
a) My friend who is very fit won the 100-metre race.
b) The man meanwhile picked up his bag and carried on walking.
2 mark(s)
Page 2 of 9
Past Paper 2013
Level 6
Question 12
5
Insert commas and a semi-colon in the sentence below.
I love red blue yellow and green he prefers black white orange and purple.
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2013
Level 3-5
Question 39
6
Which two of these sentences would be clearer with brackets to organise some of the
information they contain?
Tick two
The great white shark has been known to exceed 6 metres in length.
The two cars a red one and a blue one sped down the road.
Waves from the sea have the power to erode rocks over time.
A country with a mild climate has pleasant temperatures.
Jake a polite young man always holds open the door.
1 mark(s)
Page 3 of 9
Past Paper 2013 sample
Level 3-5
Question 18
7
Which of the sentences below is punctuated correctly?
Tick one
Mr Jones my (neighbour looks) after our cat when we go on holiday.
Mr Jones my neighbour (looks after our cat) when we go on holiday.
Mr Jones (my neighbour) looks after our cat when we go on holiday.
Mr Jones my neighbour looks after our (cat when we go on holiday).
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2013 sample
Level 6
Question 2
8
Insert a colon in the appropriate place in the sentence below.
I have three pets a hamster (called Frankie), a goldfish and a cat.
1 mark(s)
Page 4 of 9
Past Paper 2013
Level 6
Question 10
9
Colons are used to introduce a list.
Write a sentence of your own that uses a colon correctly to list what you need for school.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2013
Level 6
Question 3
10 A semi-colon can be used to separate two main clauses that are related.
Insert a semi-colon in the correct place in each sentence below.
The concert was a great success the applause went on for
many minutes.
Honestly, I've done my very best I've left no stone, however
small, unturned.
1 mark(s)
Page 5 of 9
Past Paper 2013 sample
Level 6
Question 7
11 A semi-colon can be used to separate two main clauses that are related.
Insert a semi-colon in the correct place in the sentence below.
On the one hand, it would be exciting to go on the roller
coaster on the other, I might not like the height!
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2014
Level 3-5
Question 36
12 Insert a pair of commas to clarify the sentence below.
Jim grabbing his hat and gloves ran out of the house.
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2014
Level 6
Question 1
13 Insert a semi-colon in the most appropriate place in the sentence below.
It is a very long book on the other hand, it is one of the best
I have ever read.
1 mark(s)
Page 6 of 9
Past Paper 2014
Level 6
Question 2
14 Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Tick one.
He decided after taking a few minutes to think,
that it was a good idea.
He decided after, taking a few minutes, to think
that it was a good idea.
He decided, after taking a few minutes to think,
that it was a good idea.
He decided after taking a few minutes, to think
that it was, a good idea.
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2014
Level 6
Question 8
15 Insert a comma and a semi-colon in the most appropriate places in the sentence below.
Ladies and gentlemen please take your seats this afternoon's
performance is about to begin.
1 mark(s)
Page 7 of 9
Past Paper 2014
Level 6
Question 12
16 Insert the missing punctuation in the sentence below.
Pupils may in accordance with the uniform policy choose whether to
wear a shirt or a T-shirt.
1 mark(s)
Past Paper 2014
Level 6
Question 14
17 Insert the following punctuation in the text below:
two full stops
a semi-colon
all the necessary capital letters.
school uniform has many benefits however, some people argue it
takes away your ability to express yourself I would prefer to choose
my own clothes, although I agree that uniform helps us to feel that
we belong to the same school
1 mark(s)
Page 8 of 9
Past Paper 2015
Level 3-5
Question 20
18 Tick one box in each row to show how the commas are used in each sentence.
Sentence
Commas are
Commas are
used to
used to
separate items
separate
in a list
clauses
Butterflies, moths and bees are all winged
insects.
Ana's class, which is the largest, is
usually the quietest.
When Dad bakes biscuits, Jackie always
helps.
1 mark(s)
19 Which of the sentences below uses semi-colons correctly?
It rained heavily over night we had fun splashing; in the puddles.
It rained heavily over night we had fun; splashing in the puddles
It rained heavily; over night we had fun splashing in the puddles
It rained heavily over night; we had fun splashing in the puddles
1 mark(s)
Page 9 of 9