Colons and semicolons

Grade 6 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   Ari tests each semicolon by swapping it for a period. Which sentence still has two full sentences after the swap?

   • Because the bus was late; the class waited by the gate.
   • The bus was late; the class waited by the gate.
   • The bus was late; waiting by the gate.
   • The bus; was late and the class waited by the gate.
2. 2.

   Bo tests each semicolon by swapping it for a period. Which sentence still has two full sentences after the swap?

   • The ball; sailed over the fence and Tala ran to fetch it.
   • The ball sailed over the fence; running to fetch it.
   • The ball sailed over the fence; Tala ran to fetch it.
   • After the ball sailed over the fence; Tala ran to fetch it.
3. 3.

   Esme tests each semicolon by swapping it for a period. Which sentence still has two full sentences after the swap?

   • Since the cake was gone in an hour; the pies lasted until noon.
   • The cake was gone in an hour; selling out before noon.
   • The cake was gone in an hour; the pies lasted until noon.
   • The cake; was gone in an hour and the pies lasted until noon.
4. 4.

   Jun tests each semicolon by swapping it for a period. Which sentence still has two full sentences after the swap?

   • The wind picked up; climbing higher and higher.
   • The wind; picked up and the kites climbed higher.
   • While the wind picked up; the kites climbed higher.
   • The wind picked up; the kites climbed higher.
5. 5.

   Kira reads the words before each colon by themselves. Which sentence has a full sentence before its colon?

   • The hike pack was filled with: a map, a compass, and a snack.
   • The hike pack held three things: a map, a compass, and a snack.
   • The hike pack held: a map, a compass, and a snack.
   • The hike pack held useful items such as: a map, a compass, and a snack.
6. 6.

   Luz reads the words before each colon by themselves. Which sentence has a full sentence before its colon?

   • The lunchbox held: apples, crackers, cheese, and grapes.
   • The lunchbox was packed with: apples, crackers, cheese, and grapes.
   • The lunchbox held four foods: apples, crackers, cheese, and grapes.
   • The lunchbox held foods such as: apples, crackers, cheese, and grapes.
7. 7.

   Milo reads the words before each colon by themselves. Which sentence has a full sentence before its colon?

   • The art table ran out of: glue and tape.
   • The art table needs: glue and tape.
   • The art table ran out of supplies such as: glue and tape.
   • The art table ran out of two supplies: glue and tape.
8. 8.

   Both halves of Ren's sentence are full sentences about one schedule. Which version punctuates it correctly?

   • The art club sketches on Monday, the choir rehearses on Tuesday.
   • The art club sketches on Monday: the choir rehearses on Tuesday.
   • The art club sketches on Monday; the choir rehearses on Tuesday.
   • The art club sketches on Monday the choir rehearses on Tuesday.
9. 9.

   The second part of Tala's sentence is a list. Which version punctuates it correctly?

   • The picnic basket holds four foods bread, grapes, cheese, and juice.
   • The picnic basket holds: four foods bread, grapes, cheese, and juice.
   • The picnic basket holds four foods; bread, grapes, cheese, and juice.
   • The picnic basket holds four foods: bread, grapes, cheese, and juice.
10. 10.

    Both halves of Zee's sentence are full sentences that go together. Which version punctuates it correctly?

    • Some sleds raced down the hill, others waited at the top.
    • Some sleds raced down the hill: others waited at the top.
    • Some sleds raced down the hill others waited at the top.
    • Some sleds raced down the hill; others waited at the top.