6th grade punctuation

Example

Which sentence uses a colon correctly? • Jo had: one goal to win the race. • Jo had one goal: to win the race. • Jo: had one goal to win the race. • Jo had one goal to: win the race.

1. A colon follows a complete main clause and introduces a list, an explanation or an example.
2. So the answer is: Jo had one goal: to win the race.

Answer: Jo had one goal: to win the race.

Example

On tuesday we went to the zoo, we saw lions. How many punctuation or capital-letter errors are there?

1. Proofread in stages so you notice every kind of error.
2. 'Tuesday' needs a capital, and the comma splice needs a full stop or semicolon.
3. So the answer is: 2

Answer: 2

Example

Which version is punctuated correctly? • Because the road was icy, we drove slowly. • Because the road was icy we, drove slowly. • Because the road, was icy we drove slowly. • Because, the road was icy we drove slowly.

1. Put a comma after an introductory word (However,), phrase (After the long journey,) or dependent clause (When the bell rang,).
2. So the answer is: Because the road was icy, we drove slowly.

Answer: Because the road was icy, we drove slowly.

Example

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • Oh I almost forgot! • Oh I almost, forgot! • Oh I, almost forgot! • Oh, I almost forgot!

1. Use commas to set off a name of the person addressed, yes/no, mild interjections and tag questions.
2. Comma after the interjection 'Oh'.
3. So the answer is: Oh, I almost forgot!

Answer: Oh, I almost forgot!

Example

Choose the correct form. The brackets tell you how many owners there are. The ___ coats were hanging by the door. (more than one girl)

1. Singular owner → 's (dog's). Plural ending in s → s' (dogs'). Plural not ending in s → 's (children's).
2. Plural ending in s: add just an apostrophe.
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The girls' coats were hanging by the door."
4. So the answer is: girls'

Answer: girls'