Use semicolons, colons and dashes

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   The rink was open; however, the ice was too soft to skate. Pia explains the mark in the sentence. What does the semicolon do here?

   • It marks a sudden break in the writer’s thought.
   • It tells the reader that an explanation of the first part follows.
   • It joins two complete sentences whose ideas are closely related.
   • It works with a matching dash to set off an extra detail.
2. 2.

   The garden had one problem: dry soil. Bo explains the mark in the sentence. What does the colon do here?

   • It works with a matching dash to set off an extra detail.
   • It tells the reader that an explanation of the first part follows.
   • It marks a sudden break in the writer’s thought.
   • It joins two complete sentences whose ideas are closely related.
3. 3.

   The lunchbox—a gift from a neighbor—still smells like peaches. Milo explains the marks in the sentence. What do the dashes do here?

   • It joins two complete sentences whose ideas are closely related.
   • It tells the reader that an explanation of the first part follows.
   • It works with a matching dash to set off an extra detail.
   • It tells the reader that a list of items follows.
4. 4.

   I opened the box—empty! Zee explains the mark in the sentence. What does the dash do here?

   • It marks a sudden break in the writer’s thought.
   • It works with a matching dash to set off an extra detail.
   • It joins two complete sentences whose ideas are closely related.
   • It tells the reader that a list of items follows.
5. 5.

   Kira wants a sentence whose colon introduces an explanation. Which sentence is it?

   • The hallway smelled sweet: fresh cinnamon rolls.
   • Bring three things: a hat, a water bottle, and sunscreen.
   • Our class play is called Moonlight: A Spring Musical.
   • The assembly starts at 9:15 in the gym.
6. 6.

   Ren wants a sentence whose colon introduces a list. Which sentence is it?

   • The pool closed early: a broken pipe.
   • The tent kit includes four parts: poles, stakes, a rainfly, and a bag.
   • Our class book is called Wild Rivers: A Young Reader’s Guide.
   • Practice ends at 5:30 on Fridays.
7. 7.

   Esme wants a sentence whose colon introduces an explanation. Which sentence is it?

   • The bus leaves at 7:45 on school days.
   • We are reading a poem called Autumn: A Quiet Season.
   • The recipe calls for two spices: cinnamon and nutmeg.
   • The science fair had one winner: a model of a wind farm.
8. 8.

   Noah wants a sentence whose colon introduces a list. Which sentence is it?

   • The report had a problem: missing pages.
   • The movie starts at 6:15 tonight.
   • The sandwich bar offers three toppings: lettuce, tomato, and cheese.
   • Our unit is titled Oceans: Waves and Tides.
9. 9.

   Luz checks a sentence that has two marks. Which version punctuates both correctly?

   • The museum—a former train station has a new exhibit; visitors line up on weekends.
   • The museum—a former train station—has a new exhibit, visitors line up on weekends.
   • The museum—a former train station—has a new exhibit; visitors line up on weekends.
   • The museum—a former train station has a new exhibit, visitors line up on weekends.
10. 10.

    Jun checks a sentence that has two marks. Which version punctuates both correctly?

    • The hike was short; however, the climb—steep and rocky—took hours.
    • The hike was short; however, the climb—steep and rocky took hours.
    • The hike was short, however, the climb—steep and rocky—took hours.
    • The hike was short, however, the climb—steep and rocky took hours.