Semicolons and colons

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Sentence

   The foundation funds repairs to historic buildings [1] it has never funded a new building [2] and a request for a gym in 2019 was refused.

2. 1.

   Zee fills the two gaps in a line from a foundation report. Which marks go in gaps 1 and 2, in order?

   • semicolon, then semicolon
   • comma, then semicolon
   • semicolon, then comma
   • comma, then comma

3. Sentence

   When the final scores were posted [1] the judges' chair read the result aloud [2] “The winner is the team from Fairview.”

4. 2.

   Milo fills the two gaps in a line from a competition recap. Which marks go in gaps 1 and 2, in order?

   • comma, then comma
   • comma, then colon
   • colon, then colon
   • colon, then comma
5. 3.

   The treaty settled the border dispute; it did nothing about the trade restrictions that had caused it. Esme is asked to justify the semicolon. Which explanation is correct and complete?

   • The second part gives an example of the first, and a semicolon is the mark that introduces examples.
   • A semicolon marks a longer pause than a comma, and the second part is long enough to need one.
   • The second part is a complete sentence, so the two parts have to be joined by a semicolon rather than separated.
   • Both parts are complete sentences, and the second continues the first by naming what the treaty left undone.
6. 4.

   The committee's conclusion was plain: the bridge could stay open only if the cables were replaced by spring. Jun is asked to justify the colon. Which explanation is correct and complete?

   • A colon marks a longer pause than a semicolon, and the second part is long enough to need one.
   • The words before the colon form a complete sentence, and the words after it state the conclusion that sentence announces.
   • The two parts are separate sentences, so a colon divides them more strongly than a period would.
   • The words before the colon form a complete sentence, so a colon is correct wherever a sentence ends.
7. 5.

   The orchestra's first tour, which began in Lisbon, was a triumph; its second, which ended in Warsaw, was a disaster. Pia is asked to justify the semicolon. Which explanation is correct and complete?

   • The first part contains commas, so a stronger mark is needed to separate the two parts.
   • The second part explains the first, and a semicolon is the mark that introduces an explanation.
   • A semicolon marks a longer pause than the commas inside the parts, and the second part is long.
   • Both parts are complete sentences with commas inside them, and the second contrasts with the first.
8. 6.

   The kit contained everything the survey needed: a compass, two measuring tapes, a notebook and a spare battery. Kira is asked to justify the colon. Which explanation is correct and complete?

   • A colon is a stronger pause than a comma, and the list is long enough to need a stronger pause.
   • The words before the colon form a complete sentence, and the words after it list what that sentence promises.
   • The words after the colon are a list, and a list must follow a colon.
   • The parts on either side are complete sentences that are closely related, so a colon joins them as a semicolon would.
9. 7.

   The exhibit includes: portraits, landscapes, and a small collection of maps; that most visitors never notice. Tala proofreads a museum label that has two punctuation slips. Which version fixes both without adding a new one?

   • The exhibit includes portraits, landscapes, and a small collection of maps that most visitors never notice.
   • The exhibit includes: portraits, landscapes, and a small collection of maps that most visitors never notice.
   • The exhibit includes portraits, landscapes, and a small collection of maps, that most visitors never notice.
   • The exhibit includes portraits, landscapes, and a small collection of maps; that most visitors never notice.

10. Draft

    The library offers many services, such as: printing, scanning and free notary help, the staff is happy to explain any of them.

11. 8.

    Bo proofreads a library flyer that has two punctuation slips. Which version fixes both without adding a new one?

    • The library offers many services, such as printing, scanning and free notary help, the staff is happy to explain any of them.
    • The library offers many services; such as printing, scanning and free notary help; the staff is happy to explain any of them.
    • The library offers many services, such as: printing, scanning and free notary help; the staff is happy to explain any of them.
    • The library offers many services, such as printing, scanning and free notary help; the staff is happy to explain any of them.

12. Draft

    The committee reached a decision; to replace the aging boiler, to repair the roof, and to postpone the new gym, the vote was unanimous.

13. 9.

    Noah proofreads a school board summary that has two punctuation slips. Which version fixes both without adding a new one?

    • The committee reached a decision; to replace the aging boiler, to repair the roof, and to postpone the new gym; the vote was unanimous.
    • The committee reached a decision: to replace the aging boiler, to repair the roof, and to postpone the new gym, the vote was unanimous.
    • The committee reached a decision: to replace the aging boiler; to repair the roof; and to postpone the new gym; the vote was unanimous.
    • The committee reached a decision: to replace the aging boiler, to repair the roof, and to postpone the new gym; the vote was unanimous.
14. 10.

    The report made one thing clear, the old wiring was the problem; not the storm that got the blame. Ari proofreads an inspector's summary that has two punctuation slips. Which version fixes both without adding a new one?

    • The report made one thing clear, the old wiring was the problem, not the storm that got the blame.
    • The report made one thing clear: the old wiring was the problem; not the storm that got the blame.
    • The report made one thing clear: the old wiring was the problem, not the storm that got the blame.
    • The report made one thing clear: the old wiring was the problem, not the storm; that got the blame.