• 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 [?] Marie Curie, the first person to win two Nobel Prizes [?] studied radioactivity. (, / — / ) / ;) → ,Prompt: Find where the extra information STARTS. What mark opened it?
2. In which sentence does [?] need this mark: —? (The old lighthouse — which had been dark for decades [?] was lit again for the festival. / The author (who wrote her first novel at seventeen [?] now teaches creative writing. / The volcano's last eruption (in 1913 [?] destroyed three villages.) → The old lighthouse — which had been dark for decades [?] was lit again for the festival.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? Researchers collected three kinds of samples___ soil, water, and air. (; / , and / — and / :) → :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)? Some critics praised the film. Others, however; found it slow. (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?

• 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 8 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. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The author had never visited ___ her descriptions of the city are vivid. (Venice even so / Venice, even so, / Venice; even so, / Venice; even so) → Venice; even so,Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?
2. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Bees are vital pollinators; indeed, many crops would fail without them. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: 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.