Colons and semicolons

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   “[Tucson, Arizona] [Flagstaff, Arizona] [Yuma, Arizona]” Kira proofreads a school newsletter. Which version lets a reader tell where one stop ends and the next begins?

   • The bus tour made three stops: Tucson, Arizona; Flagstaff, Arizona; Yuma, Arizona.
   • The bus tour made three stops: Tucson, Arizona; Flagstaff, Arizona, Yuma, Arizona.
   • The bus tour made three stops: Tucson, Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona, Yuma, Arizona.
   • The bus tour made three stops: Tucson; Arizona, Flagstaff; Arizona, Yuma; Arizona.
2. 2.

   “[Dana Ruiz, the mayor] [Omar Beck, the coach] [Lin Park, the librarian]” Esme edits an assembly program. Which version lets a reader tell where one speaker’s name and role end and the next begin?

   • Three guests will speak at the assembly: Dana Ruiz, the mayor, Omar Beck, the coach, Lin Park, the librarian.
   • Three guests will speak at the assembly: Dana Ruiz, the mayor; Omar Beck, the coach; Lin Park, the librarian.
   • Three guests will speak at the assembly: Dana Ruiz; the mayor, Omar Beck; the coach, Lin Park; the librarian.
   • Three guests will speak at the assembly: Dana Ruiz, the mayor; Omar Beck, the coach, Lin Park, the librarian.
3. 3.

   “[June 4, 2027] [July 9, 2027] [August 13, 2027]” Jun types a club flyer. Which version lets a reader tell where one date ends and the next begins?

   • The club will meet on three dates: June 4, 2027; July 9, 2027; August 13, 2027.
   • The club will meet on three dates: June 4, 2027, July 9, 2027; August 13, 2027.
   • The club will meet on three dates: June 4, 2027, July 9, 2027, August 13, 2027.
   • The club will meet on three dates: June 4; 2027, July 9; 2027, August 13; 2027.
4. 4.

   “[Boise, Idaho] [Duluth, Minnesota] [Santa Fe, New Mexico]” Luz writes a class news note. Which version lets a reader tell where one city-and-state pair ends and the next begins?

   • Our class has pen pals in three cities: Boise, Idaho; Duluth, Minnesota; Santa Fe, New Mexico.
   • Our class has pen pals in three cities: Boise, Idaho, Duluth, Minnesota, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
   • Our class has pen pals in three cities: Boise; Idaho, Duluth; Minnesota, Santa Fe; New Mexico.
   • Our class has pen pals in three cities: Boise, Idaho; Duluth, Minnesota, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
5. 5.

   [The plaque by the fountain is short and warm] + “In honor of the first volunteers.” Tala quotes a plaque in a report. Which version introduces the quotation correctly?

   • The plaque by the fountain is short and warm; “In honor of the first volunteers.”
   • The plaque by the fountain is short and warm: “In honor of the first volunteers.”
   • The plaque by the fountain is short and warm. “In honor of the first volunteers.”
   • The plaque by the fountain is short and warm “In honor of the first volunteers.”
6. 6.

   [The theme of the book fair is simple] + “A World of Stories.” Ren quotes a banner in a school report. Which version introduces the theme correctly?

   • The theme of the book fair is simple: “A World of Stories.”
   • The theme of the book fair is simple; “A World of Stories.”
   • The theme of the book fair is simple “A World of Stories.”
   • The theme of the book fair is simple. “A World of Stories.”
7. 7.

   [The welcome sign at the park is friendly and brief] + “Home of the Riverside Garden.” Zee quotes the welcome sign at a park. Which version introduces the quotation correctly?

   • The welcome sign at the park is friendly and brief: “Home of the Riverside Garden.”
   • The welcome sign at the park is friendly and brief; “Home of the Riverside Garden.”
   • The welcome sign at the park is friendly and brief “Home of the Riverside Garden.”
   • The welcome sign at the park is friendly and brief. “Home of the Riverside Garden.”
8. 8.

   “[The library closed early] + [a pipe burst in the basement]” Ari edits a short report. The second sentence explains the first. Which version joins them correctly?

   • The library closed early: a pipe burst in the basement.
   • The library closed early, a pipe burst in the basement.
   • The library closed early a pipe burst in the basement.
   • The library closed early because: a pipe burst in the basement.
9. 9.

   “[The experiment was a success] + [all twelve seedlings sprouted]” Bo edits a science report. The second sentence tells why the first is true. Which version joins them correctly?

   • The experiment was a success since: all twelve seedlings sprouted.
   • The experiment was a success, all twelve seedlings sprouted.
   • The experiment was a success: all twelve seedlings sprouted.
   • The experiment was a success all twelve seedlings sprouted.
10. 10.

    “[Nobody could find the key] + [it had slipped behind the shelf]” Noah edits a story draft. The second sentence explains the first. Which version joins them correctly?

    • Nobody could find the key, it had slipped behind the shelf.
    • Nobody could find the key because: it had slipped behind the shelf.
    • Nobody could find the key: it had slipped behind the shelf.
    • Nobody could find the key it had slipped behind the shelf.