Semicolons and colons

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   Ari proofreads a line from a town flood report. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • Because the river rose faster than forecasters had predicted; the town opened its shelters early, volunteers, who had trained for exactly this, were already waiting.
   • Because the river rose faster than forecasters had predicted, the town opened its shelters early, volunteers, who had trained for exactly this, were already waiting.
   • Because the river rose faster than forecasters had predicted, the town opened its shelters early, volunteers; who had trained for exactly this, were already waiting.
   • Because the river rose faster than forecasters had predicted, the town opened its shelters early; volunteers, who had trained for exactly this, were already waiting.
2. 2.

   Bo proofreads a caption for a museum display about a lighthouse. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • After the lighthouse was automated in 1970; its keepers moved ashore, the empty tower, weathered by sixty winters, now draws more visitors than the town itself.
   • After the lighthouse was automated in 1970, its keepers moved ashore, the empty tower; weathered by sixty winters, now draws more visitors than the town itself.
   • After the lighthouse was automated in 1970, its keepers moved ashore; the empty tower, weathered by sixty winters, now draws more visitors than the town itself.
   • After the lighthouse was automated in 1970, its keepers moved ashore, the empty tower, weathered by sixty winters, now draws more visitors than the town itself.
3. 3.

   Jun proofreads a line from a history of an island ferry. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • Since the harbor froze early that winter; the ferry stopped running in November, the mail boat, which carried groceries as well as letters, became the island's lifeline.
   • Since the harbor froze early that winter, the ferry stopped running in November, the mail boat; which carried groceries as well as letters, became the island's lifeline.
   • Since the harbor froze early that winter, the ferry stopped running in November, the mail boat, which carried groceries as well as letters, became the island's lifeline.
   • Since the harbor froze early that winter, the ferry stopped running in November; the mail boat, which carried groceries as well as letters, became the island's lifeline.
4. 4.

   Kira proofreads a line from a news story about a reservoir. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The council's first proposal would have closed the reservoir to anglers entirely, a rule that fishing clubs had opposed for years; however, the final version allowed catch-and-release fishing on weekdays.
   • The council's first proposal would have closed the reservoir to anglers entirely, a rule that fishing clubs had opposed for years, however, the final version allowed catch-and-release fishing on weekdays.
   • The council's first proposal would have closed the reservoir to anglers entirely, a rule that fishing clubs had opposed for years, however; the final version allowed catch-and-release fishing on weekdays.
   • The council's first proposal would have closed the reservoir to anglers entirely, a rule that fishing clubs had opposed for years; however the final version allowed catch-and-release fishing on weekdays.
5. 5.

   Luz proofreads a line from a science fair report. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • Dr. Imani's early data suggested that the new fertilizer doubled the yield of the test plots, moreover; the plants that received it resisted drought for nearly two additional weeks.
   • Dr. Imani's early data suggested that the new fertilizer doubled the yield of the test plots; moreover, the plants that received it resisted drought for nearly two additional weeks.
   • Dr. Imani's early data suggested that the new fertilizer doubled the yield of the test plots, moreover, the plants that received it resisted drought for nearly two additional weeks.
   • Dr. Imani's early data suggested that the new fertilizer doubled the yield of the test plots; moreover the plants that received it resisted drought for nearly two additional weeks.
6. 6.

   Milo proofreads a line from a civics article about a bill. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The first draft of the bill passed the House with little debate, consequently, senators who had not read it were asked to vote within a day.
   • The first draft of the bill passed the House with little debate; consequently senators who had not read it were asked to vote within a day.
   • The first draft of the bill passed the House with little debate; consequently, senators who had not read it were asked to vote within a day.
   • The first draft of the bill passed the House with little debate, consequently; senators who had not read it were asked to vote within a day.
7. 7.

   Noah proofreads a line from a newspaper story about a village festival. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • Most of the village's wells had run dry by August, nevertheless, the annual harvest festival went ahead, with water carried in from the next valley.
   • Most of the village's wells had run dry by August; nevertheless the annual harvest festival went ahead, with water carried in from the next valley.
   • Most of the village's wells had run dry by August; nevertheless, the annual harvest festival went ahead, with water carried in from the next valley.
   • Most of the village's wells had run dry by August, nevertheless; the annual harvest festival went ahead, with water carried in from the next valley.
8. 8.

   Ren proofreads a line from a school newspaper film review. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The reviewer called the film “a handsome machine with no engine”.
   • The reviewer called the film: “a handsome machine with no engine.”
   • The reviewer called the film; “a handsome machine with no engine.”
   • The reviewer called the film “a handsome machine with no engine.”
9. 9.

   Tala proofreads a line from a sports feature. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The coach asked the question that had worried the whole team “Who will cover the left side if Marcus is injured?”
   • The coach asked the question that had worried the whole team: “Who will cover the left side if Marcus is injured?”
   • The coach asked the question that had worried the whole team: “Who will cover the left side if Marcus is injured”?
   • The coach asked the question that had worried the whole team; “Who will cover the left side if Marcus is injured?”
10. 10.

    Zee proofreads a line from a memoir about a family workshop. Which version is punctuated correctly?

    • The foreman's one rule was to: “measure twice, cut once.”
    • The foreman's one rule was to; “measure twice, cut once.”
    • The foreman's one rule was to “measure twice, cut once”.
    • The foreman's one rule was to “measure twice, cut once.”