Semicolons and colons

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   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.
2. 2.

   Esme proofreads a note in a concert program. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • Although few visitors noticed; the orchestra had rehearsed the piece for three weeks, its conductor, a patient man from Leipzig, refused to rush the slow movement.
   • Although few visitors noticed, the orchestra had rehearsed the piece for three weeks, its conductor; a patient man from Leipzig, refused to rush the slow movement.
   • Although few visitors noticed, the orchestra had rehearsed the piece for three weeks, its conductor, a patient man from Leipzig, refused to rush the slow movement.
   • Although few visitors noticed, the orchestra had rehearsed the piece for three weeks; its conductor, a patient man from Leipzig, refused to rush the slow movement.
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.

   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.
7. 7.

   Pia proofreads a line from a story set in a harbor town. Which version is punctuated correctly?

   • The harbor master's warning was brief; “No vessel leaves the dock until the fog lifts.”
   • The harbor master's warning was brief “No vessel leaves the dock until the fog lifts.”
   • The harbor master's warning was brief: “No vessel leaves the dock until the fog lifts”.
   • The harbor master's warning was brief: “No vessel leaves the dock until the fog lifts.”
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.”