Commas, dashes and ellipses

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   “The bus, however, arrived ten minutes late.” Ari reads a line from a school announcement. What do the two commas tell the reader?

   • The commas show a light pause on each side of “however”.
   • The commas show the speaker being cut off sharply after “bus”.
   • The commas show the speaker's voice fading away at “however”.
   • The commas show that words were left out of the announcement.
2. 2.

   “The answer is … um, maybe twelve.” Esme reads a line from a skit script. What does the ellipsis tell the reader?

   • The ellipsis shows a sharp break, where another voice cuts the speaker off.
   • The ellipsis shows the speaker hesitating, unsure of the answer.
   • The ellipsis shows a light pause around an extra word.
   • The ellipsis shows that words were left out of the speaker's sentence.
3. 3.

   The pilot [of course] checked the map twice. Kira edits a school newsletter. Which sentence puts commas around the bracketed words correctly?

   • The pilot, of course, checked, the map twice.
   • The pilot, of course, checked the map twice.
   • The pilot, of course checked the map twice.
   • The pilot of course, checked the map twice.
4. 4.

   The kite [however] stayed stuck in the tree. Luz edits a school newsletter. Which sentence puts commas around the bracketed word correctly?

   • The kite however, stayed stuck in the tree.
   • The kite, however, stayed stuck in the tree.
   • The kite, however, stayed, stuck in the tree.
   • The kite, however stayed stuck in the tree.
5. 5.

   The soup [in fact] tasted better the next day. Milo edits a school newsletter. Which sentence puts commas around the bracketed words correctly?

   • The soup, in fact, tasted better, the next day.
   • The soup, in fact, tasted better the next day.
   • The soup in fact, tasted better the next day.
   • The soup, in fact tasted better the next day.
6. 6.

   The ferry [I think] leaves at noon. Noah edits a school newsletter. Which sentence puts commas around the bracketed words correctly?

   • The ferry I think, leaves at noon.
   • The ferry, I think, leaves at noon.
   • The ferry, I think, leaves, at noon.
   • The ferry, I think leaves at noon.
7. 7.

   “The science fair begins at noon in the gym and ends with an awards show at three.” Pia shortens a quotation for a report. Which version uses an ellipsis correctly for the cut words?

   • “The science fair begins … and ends with an awards show at three.”
   • “The science fair begins … and finishes with an awards show at three.”
   • “The science fair begins and ends with an awards show at three.”
   • “The science fair begins at noon … in the gym and ends with an awards show at three.”
8. 8.

   “Our team practiced each morning before school and improved a little each week.” Ren shortens a quotation for a report. Which version uses an ellipsis correctly for the cut words?

   • “Our team practiced each morning … before school and improved a little each week.”
   • “Our team practiced and improved a little each week.”
   • “Our team practiced … and improved a little each week.”
   • “Our team trained … and improved a little each week.”
9. 9.

   “The aquarium opens its new jellyfish room on Saturday after months of careful work.” Tala shortens a quotation for a report. Which version uses an ellipsis correctly for the cut words?

   • “The aquarium opens its new jellyfish room … after months of hard work.”
   • “The aquarium opens its new jellyfish room on Saturday … after months of careful work.”
   • “The aquarium opens its new jellyfish room … after months of careful work.”
   • “The aquarium opens its new jellyfish room after months of careful work.”
10. 10.

    “The class planted forty seedlings along the creek last spring to stop the soil from washing away.” Zee shortens a quotation for a report. Which version uses an ellipsis correctly for the cut words?

    • “The class planted forty seedlings to stop the soil from washing away.”
    • “The class planted forty seedlings … to stop the soil from washing away.”
    • “The class planted forty seedlings along the creek … last spring to stop the soil from washing away.”
    • “The class planted forty seedlings … to stop the dirt from washing away.”