Semicolons and colons

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   Pia proofreads a line from a local news analysis. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The relief fund, which residents had quietly supported for decades, collapsed in March, however, the mayor's office kept announcing new grants as though nothing had changed.
   • The relief fund, which residents had quietly supported for decades, collapsed in March; however, the mayor's office kept announcing new grants as though nothing had changed.
   • The relief fund, which residents had quietly supported for decades, collapsed in March, however; the mayor's office kept announcing new grants as though nothing had changed.
   • The relief fund, which residents had quietly supported for decades, collapsed in March; however the mayor's office kept announcing new grants as though nothing had changed.
2. 2.

   Zee proofreads a line from a county history. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The surveyors' map, drawn in 1887 and corrected twice since, shows the river east of the road, and the county's records, however place it on the west.
   • The surveyors' map, drawn in 1887 and corrected twice since, shows the river east of the road, and the county's records; however, place it on the west.
   • The surveyors' map, drawn in 1887 and corrected twice since, shows the river east of the road, and the county's records, however, place it on the west.
   • The surveyors' map, drawn in 1887 and corrected twice since, shows the river east of the road, and the county's records however, place it on the west.
3. 3.

   Tala proofreads a line from a museum newsletter. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The museum's director, an expert on early printing, urged the trustees to accept the donation, and the trustees, nevertheless voted to decline it.
   • The museum's director, an expert on early printing, urged the trustees to accept the donation, and the trustees nevertheless, voted to decline it.
   • The museum's director, an expert on early printing, urged the trustees to accept the donation, and the trustees, nevertheless, voted to decline it.
   • The museum's director, an expert on early printing, urged the trustees to accept the donation, and the trustees; nevertheless, voted to decline it.
4. 4.

   Ari proofreads a sentence from a city newsletter. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The review board named three finalists: Rowan Hale, a bridge engineer from Tacoma, Priya Raman, an architect who had designed two libraries, and Tomas Beck, a planner for the county.
   • The review board named three finalists: Rowan Hale; a bridge engineer from Tacoma, Priya Raman; an architect who had designed two libraries, and Tomas Beck; a planner for the county.
   • The review board named three finalists: Rowan Hale, a bridge engineer from Tacoma; Priya Raman, an architect who had designed two libraries; and Tomas Beck, a planner for the county.
   • The review board named three finalists, Rowan Hale, a bridge engineer from Tacoma; Priya Raman, an architect who had designed two libraries; and Tomas Beck, a planner for the county.
5. 5.

   Noah proofreads a sentence from a club handbook. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The committee's duties include approving the annual budget, which is drafted in May, hiring the executive director, who serves a two-year term, and reviewing complaints from members.
   • The committee's duties include: approving the annual budget, which is drafted in May; hiring the executive director, who serves a two-year term; and reviewing complaints from members.
   • The committee's duties include approving the annual budget, which is drafted in May; hiring the executive director, who serves a two-year term; and reviewing complaints from members.
   • The committee's duties include approving the annual budget; which is drafted in May, hiring the executive director; who serves a two-year term, and reviewing complaints from members.
6. 6.

   Luz proofreads a sentence from a museum tour announcement. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The exhibit's stops this year are Duluth, Minnesota, in March; Billings, Montana, in June; and Boise, Idaho, in September.
   • The exhibit's stops this year are Duluth; Minnesota, in March, Billings; Montana, in June, and Boise; Idaho, in September.
   • The exhibit's stops this year are: Duluth, Minnesota, in March; Billings, Montana, in June; and Boise, Idaho, in September.
   • The exhibit's stops this year are Duluth, Minnesota, in March, Billings, Montana, in June, and Boise, Idaho, in September.
7. 7.

   Esme proofreads a sentence from a school safety report. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The inspector's report listed three hazards: a cracked support beam, which carried the east walkway, a loose railing, which several students had reported, and a stairwell light that had been dark since spring.
   • The inspector's report listed three hazards, a cracked support beam, which carried the east walkway; a loose railing, which several students had reported; and a stairwell light that had been dark since spring.
   • The inspector's report listed three hazards: a cracked support beam, which carried the east walkway; a loose railing, which several students had reported; and a stairwell light that had been dark since spring.
   • The inspector's report listed three hazards: a cracked support beam; which carried the east walkway, a loose railing; which several students had reported, and a stairwell light that had been dark since spring.
8. 8.

   “The museum's earliest maps were drawn from memory by sailors who had never seen the coastline from above; ____” Ren is finishing a museum label. Which ending completes the sentence correctly after the semicolon?

   • their errors followed a pattern that modern historians can read.
   • which explains why the inlets look too narrow on the oldest charts.
   • and their errors followed a pattern that modern historians can read.
   • the museum charges eight dollars for adult admission on weekends.
9. 9.

   “The first volume of the encyclopedia sold out within a week; ____” Jun is finishing a line from a book-trade history. Which ending completes the sentence correctly?

   • because readers had waited fifteen years for a complete edition.
   • the warehouse that stored the books stands beside the railroad station.
   • the publisher, astonished, ordered a second printing before the next volume appeared.
   • but the publisher ordered a second printing before the next volume appeared.
10. 10.

    “The student's essay argued that the dam had saved the valley from floods; ____” Kira is finishing a line from a debate handout. Which ending completes the sentence correctly?

    • the valley's largest town holds a cheese festival each August.
    • while the reply to it argued that the dam had also drowned three farming villages.
    • but the reply to it argued that the dam had also drowned three farming villages.
    • the reply to it argued that the dam had also drowned three farming villages.