Semicolons and colons

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Sentence

   The drone carried three sensors [1] a camera, a thermometer and an altimeter [2] the pilot, however, trusted only the camera.

2. 1.

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

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

3. Sentence

   Although the grant was approved in June [1] the money never arrived [2] the librarians, who had planned the whole summer around it, opened late.

4. 2.

   Ren fills the two gaps in a line from a library newsletter. Which marks go in gaps 1 and 2, in order?

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

5. 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.

6. 3.

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

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

7. Sentence

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

8. 4.

   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
   • colon, then comma
   • comma, then colon
   • colon, then colon
9. 5.

   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?

   • The words before the colon form a complete sentence, so a colon is correct wherever a sentence ends.
   • 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.
   • A colon marks a longer pause than a semicolon, and the second part is long enough to need one.
10. 6.

    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.
    • Both parts are complete sentences with commas inside them, and the second contrasts with the first.
    • A semicolon marks a longer pause than the commas inside the parts, and the second part is long.
11. 7.

    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?

    • The words after the colon are a list, and a list must follow a colon.
    • A colon is a stronger pause than a comma, and the list is long enough to need a stronger pause.
    • The parts on either side are complete sentences that are closely related, so a colon joins them as a semicolon would.
    • The words before the colon form a complete sentence, and the words after it list what that sentence promises.
12. 8.

    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.

13. Draft

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

14. 9.

    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.
15. 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.