Use semicolons, colons and dashes

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   The bake sale had one goal; to buy new team jerseys, however it fell short. Pia finds two slips in the draft. Which revision fixes both and adds no new slip?

   • The bake sale had one goal; to buy new team jerseys; however, it fell short.
   • The bake sale had one goal: to buy new team jerseys; however, it fell short.
   • The bake sale had one goal: to buy new team jerseys; however it fell short.
   • The bake sale had one goal: to buy new team jerseys, however, it fell short.
2. 2.

   My neighbor’s dog—a small brown terrier barks at the mail carrier, however it never bites. Bo finds two slips in the draft. Which revision fixes both and adds no new slip?

   • My neighbor’s dog—a small brown terrier—barks at the mail carrier, however, it never bites.
   • My neighbor’s dog—a small brown terrier barks at the mail carrier; however, it never bites.
   • My neighbor’s dog—a small brown terrier—barks at the mail carrier; however, it never bites.
   • My neighbor’s dog—a small brown terrier—barks at the mail carrier; however it never bites.
3. 3.

   The kite club needs: a field, a windy day, and a dozen volunteers, the first meeting is Friday. Milo finds two slips in the draft. Which revision fixes both and adds no new slip?

   • The kite club needs a field; a windy day, and a dozen volunteers; the first meeting is Friday.
   • The kite club needs a field, a windy day, and a dozen volunteers, the first meeting is Friday.
   • The kite club needs: a field, a windy day, and a dozen volunteers; the first meeting is Friday.
   • The kite club needs a field, a windy day, and a dozen volunteers; the first meeting is Friday.
4. 4.

   The picnic—a surprise for the whole class was nearly canceled; because of the rain. Zee finds two slips in the draft. Which revision fixes both and adds no new slip?

   • The picnic—a surprise for the whole class—was nearly canceled; because of the rain.
   • The picnic, a surprise for the whole class—was nearly canceled because of the rain.
   • The picnic—a surprise for the whole class was nearly canceled because of the rain.
   • The picnic—a surprise for the whole class—was nearly canceled because of the rain.
5. 5.

   Esme checks four sentences for punctuation. Which sentence is NOT correct?

   • The old bridge—was closed for repairs.
   • Pack these items: tape, glue, and scissors.
   • The test was hard—really hard—but the class passed.
   • The pie was gone by noon; the cookies lasted until three.
6. 6.

   Noah checks four sentences for punctuation. Which sentence is NOT correct?

   • The sled—bright red and a little rusty—raced down the hill.
   • The path was steep; nevertheless, we reached the top.
   • Our teacher gave one warning: no phones.
   • The recipe had a secret ingredient; cinnamon.
7. 7.

   The garden needs: water, sunlight, and rich soil. Ari checks the sentence. Which statement names the real problem with it?

   • The words before the colon are not a complete sentence.
   • The sentence is correct, because a colon can introduce a list.
   • The colon should be a semicolon, because three items follow.
   • The commas in the list should be dashes.
8. 8.

   The tent was ready, however, the weather turned. Luz checks the sentence. Which statement names the real problem with it?

   • The comma after “however” should be removed.
   • A comma cannot join two full sentences, so a semicolon belongs before “however.”
   • The word “however” should be followed by a colon.
   • The sentence is correct, because commas can set off “however.”
9. 9.

   The lake—clear, cold, and deep was perfect for swimming. Tala checks the sentence. Which statement names the real problem with it?

   • The aside needs a closing dash after “deep.”
   • The commas inside the aside should be semicolons.
   • The sentence is correct, because one dash can set off an aside.
   • The first dash should be a colon.
10. 10.

    We had one goal; to win the relay. Jun checks the sentence. Which statement names the real problem with it?

    • The words before the semicolon are not a complete sentence.
    • A comma is missing after “goal.”
    • The words after the semicolon are not a complete sentence.
    • The sentence is correct, because a semicolon can join two related ideas.