Commas, dashes and ellipses

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   Luz proofreads a lunch menu. The writer wants a light pause on each side of the interrupting words. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

   • The cafeteria believe it or not, served pancakes for lunch.
   • The cafeteria, believe it or not, served pancakes for lunch.
   • The cafeteria, believe it or not served pancakes for lunch.
   • The cafeteria, believe it or not, served, pancakes for lunch.
2. 2.

   Milo writes a note to a friend. Which sentence sets off the name correctly?

   • I hope, Zee, that you saved me a seat.
   • I hope, Zee that you saved me a seat.
   • I hope Zee, that you saved me a seat.
   • I hope, Zee, that, you saved me a seat.
3. 3.

   Noah wants a sharp, dramatic break around an aside. Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

   • The final answer,—if you can believe it,—was on the board all along.
   • The final answer—if you can believe it—was on the board all along.
   • The final answer—if you can believe it, was on the board all along.
   • The final answer—if you can believe it was on the board all along.
4. 4.

   Pia edits a story about a late bus. The detail should stand out with dashes. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

   • The last bus—nearly empty by then—rolled into the depot.
   • The last bus—nearly empty by then rolled into the depot.
   • The last bus—nearly empty by then, rolled into the depot.
   • The last bus,—nearly empty by then,—rolled into the depot.
5. 5.

   The new bridge—finished at last, opens on Monday. Ren proofreads a school bulletin. Which statement names the slip in the sentence?

   • No slip: the sentence is punctuated correctly as it stands.
   • The part opens with a dash but closes with a comma, so the marks do not match.
   • The period at the end should be a comma.
   • A comma is missing after “opens”.
6. 6.

   The coach, however set a new rule for the team. Tala proofreads a school bulletin. Which statement names the slip in the sentence?

   • The comma after “coach” should be a period.
   • A comma is missing after “rule”.
   • The sentence is already correct and needs no change.
   • A comma is missing after “however”, so the extra word is only half set off.
7. 7.

   “The museum opens at nine and closes at five on weekdays.” Draft quote: “The museum opens at nine on weekdays.” Zee proofreads a report that quotes a museum sign. Which statement names the slip in the draft quote?

   • The period should sit outside the closing quotation mark.
   • The quote is already punctuated correctly.
   • Words were cut after “nine”, but no ellipsis marks the gap.
   • A comma is missing after “nine”.
8. 8.

   The tent—a bright orange dome stood in the field. Ari proofreads a school bulletin. Which statement names the slip in the sentence?

   • The sentence needs no change.
   • The period at the end should be a dash.
   • A comma is missing after “stood”.
   • The dash opens a part, but no dash closes it after “dome”.

9. Read this first

   Original

   “Our club collected two hundred cans in October and gave them to the food shelf downtown in early November.” Shortened: “Our club collected two hundred cans … and gave them to the food shelf downtown in early November.”

10. 9.

    Jun reads a shortened quotation. Which words did the ellipsis replace?

    • in early November
    • cans in October and
    • in October
    • October

11. Original

    “The science teacher built a model of the solar system from foam balls and wire during the long winter break.” Shortened: “The science teacher built a model of the solar system … during the long winter break.”

12. 10.

    Kira reads a shortened quotation. Which words did the ellipsis replace?

    • system from foam balls and wire during
    • from foam balls and wire
    • from foam balls
    • during the long winter break