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6th grade Colons and semicolons worksheet

6 printable versionsBuilding Confidence10 questions · answer keyFree · no account

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Colons and semicolons

Grade 6 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

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Circle the best answer.

  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 and the class waited by the gate.
    • The bus was late; waiting by the gate.
  2. Bo tests each semicolon by swapping it for a period. Which sentence still has two full sentences after the swap?

    • After the ball sailed over the fence; Tala ran to fetch it.
    • The ball sailed over the fence; running to fetch it.
    • The ball; sailed over the fence and Tala ran to fetch it.
    • The ball sailed over the fence; Tala ran to fetch it.
  3. Esme tests each semicolon by swapping it for a period. Which sentence still has two full sentences after the swap?

    • The cake; was gone in an hour and the pies lasted until noon.
    • Since the cake was gone in an hour; the pies lasted until noon.
    • The cake was gone in an hour; the pies lasted until noon.
    • The cake was gone in an hour; selling out before noon.
  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.
    • While the wind picked up; the kites climbed higher.
    • The wind picked up; the kites climbed higher.
    • The wind; picked up and the kites climbed higher.
  5. Kira reads the words before each colon by themselves. Which sentence has a full sentence before its colon?

    • The hike pack held three things: a map, a compass, and a snack.
    • The hike pack held useful items such as: a map, a compass, and a snack.
    • The hike pack held: a map, a compass, and a snack.
    • The hike pack was filled with: a map, a compass, and a snack.
  6. 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.
  7. Noah reads the words before each colon by themselves. Which sentence has a full sentence before its colon?

    • The bike trip has two stops: the lake and the park.
    • The bike trip includes: the lake and the park.
    • The bike trip stops at: the lake and the park.
    • The bike trip visits places such as: the lake and the park.
  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. 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. 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.
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6th grade Colons and semicolons worksheet – printable
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About this worksheet

Colons and semicolons. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can tell whether both halves of a sentence could stand alone, and then join them with a semicolon.
  • I can tell whether the words before a colon are a full sentence, and use the colon before a list or a reason.
  • I can find the one slip in a sentence with a semicolon or a colon and fix it without adding another.

Words to know

semicolon (;): A mark that joins two full sentences that belong together

colon (:): A mark that comes after a full sentence and opens a list or a reason

full sentence: A group of words that can stand alone

comma splice: Two full sentences joined by only a comma

swap check: Swap the mark for a period and see whether both sides stand alone

Common mistakes

Your child picked a sentence where the words before the semicolon are only a piece. Swap the semicolon for a period and read each side aloud.

Your child picked a sentence where the words after the semicolon are only a piece. Swap the semicolon for a period and read the second half aloud.

Your child picked a semicolon that cuts a sentence between its doer and its action. A semicolon goes between two sentences that could each stand alone.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with colons and semicolons?

Your child picked a sentence where the words before the semicolon are only a piece. Swap the semicolon for a period and read each side aloud.

Are these 6th grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

More grade 6 reading

See all grade 6 reading

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