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WorksheetYear 6Level 3 · Challenge

Free Year 6 Semicolons and Colons Worksheet

Students meet two punctuation marks that make writing more sophisticated: the semicolon, which joins two closely related complete sentences, and the colon, which introduces a list, explanation or example after a complete sentence. They choose correctly punctuated sentences, add the right mark, and check the rules, including the mistakes to avoid. Used well, these marks let students vary sentence structure and show relationships between ideas.

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Year
Year 6
Subject
English
Topic
Punctuation
Difficulty
Level 3 · Challenge
Estimated time
18 minutes
Curriculum
Australian Curriculum
Questions
17
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4) + print

Students will practise

  • using a semicolon to join related main clauses
  • using a colon to introduce a list or explanation
  • choosing between a comma, semicolon and colon
  • avoiding common semicolon and colon errors

Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Semicolons and Colons

  1. 1Clauses and Sentence Editing

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 6 students (typically ages 11–12) working on punctuation. It is pitched at level 3 · challenge.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 18 minutes for 17 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Clauses and Sentence Editing.

Preview

Year 6 · English · Punctuation

Semicolons and Colons

Success Tutoring

Student name:

Date:

Score: /

Semicolon: two sentences, one idea. Colon: here comes the list or explanation.

Part A — Which is correct?

A semicolon (;) joins two complete sentences that are closely related. A colon (:) follows a complete sentence to introduce a list, example or explanation. Circle the correct sentence.

1.Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?
  1. AThe tide was out; we walked along the sand.
  2. BThe tide was out; and we walked along the sand.
  3. CThe tide; was out, we walked along the sand.
  4. DThe tide was out, we walked; along the sand.
2.Which sentence uses the colon correctly?
  1. AYou will need: flour, eggs and milk.
  2. BYou will need three things: flour, eggs and milk.
  3. CYou will need three things; flour, eggs and milk.
  4. DYou will need: three things flour, eggs and milk.
3.Which sentence is correct?
  1. AI have one rule: be kind.
  2. BI have one rule; be kind.
  3. CI have one rule, be kind.
  4. DI have one rule be kind.
4.Which sentence is correct?
  1. ASome people love summer, others prefer winter.
  2. BSome people love summer; others prefer winter.
  3. CSome people love summer; and others prefer winter.
  4. DSome people love summer: others prefer, winter.
5.Which sentence is correct?
  1. AWe visited Perth, WA; Darwin, NT; and Hobart, Tasmania.
  2. BWe visited Perth, WA, Darwin, NT, and Hobart, Tasmania.
  3. CWe visited Perth; WA, Darwin; NT, and Hobart; Tasmania.
  4. DWe visited: Perth, WA, Darwin, NT, Hobart, Tasmania.
6.Which sentence is correct?
  1. AThe bus was late: so we missed the start.
  2. BThe bus was late; so we missed the start.
  3. CThe bus was late, so we missed the start.
  4. DThe bus was late so, we missed the start.

Part B — Semicolon or colon?

Write ; or : in each gap.

7.The storm passed the sky cleared.
8.Pack these items a torch, a map and water.
9.She had one goal to finish the race.
10.I love reading my brother prefers sport.
11.The train leaves at 745.
12.There was only one problem nobody had brought matches.

Part C — True or false?

Circle True or False.

13.A semicolon joins two complete sentences that are closely related. ☐ True   ☐ False
14.A colon can introduce a list after a complete sentence. ☐ True   ☐ False
15.You should put a semicolon before 'and' when joining two clauses. ☐ True   ☐ False
16.The words before a colon should usually form a complete sentence. ☐ True   ☐ False
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Punctuation in other year levels

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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