• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Matching pairs: comma–comma, dash–dash, bracket–bracket (SAT); Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which punctuation mark belongs at [?] The final match — played in pouring rain [?] ended in a draw. (, / — / ) / ;) → —Prompt: Find where the extra information STARTS. What mark opened it?
2. In which sentence does [?] need this mark: —? (The volcano's last eruption (in 1913 [?] destroyed three villages. / Marie Curie, the first person to win two Nobel Prizes [?] studied radioactivity. / The museum's newest exhibit — a full-size model of a blue whale [?] attracts thousands of visitors.) → The museum's newest exhibit — a full-size model of a blue whale [?] attracts thousands of visitors.Prompt: Find where the extra information STARTS. What mark opened it?
3. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The town's oldest building — a stone ___ dates from the 1300s. (chapel / chapel; / chapel — / chapel,) → chapel —Prompt: Are the parts on each side complete main clauses?

• Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
• Share the objective: Punctuating however, therefore and other conjunctive adverbs (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The data were incomplete. ___ the scientists published a preliminary report.
• Step 1: Conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, nevertheless) can't join clauses with just commas: use a semicolon or full stop before them and a comma after.
• Step 2: 'Still' starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma.
• Step 3: So the answer is: Still,
• Answer: Still,
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The data were incomplete. Still the scientists published a preliminary report. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Prices rose sharply in ___ as a result, sales fell. (March: / March, / March / March;) → March;Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The museum, ; however, is open until nine on Fridays. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Bees are vital ___ many crops would fail without them. (pollinators, indeed, / pollinators indeed / pollinators; indeed / pollinators; indeed,) → pollinators; indeed,Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.