Semicolons and Colons — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 6 punctuation worksheet.
Year 6 · English · Punctuation
Semicolons and Colons — Answers
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.
- AThe tide was out; we walked along the sand.
- BThe tide was out; and we walked along the sand.
- CThe tide; was out, we walked along the sand.
- DThe tide was out, we walked; along the sand.
Answer: The tide was out; we walked along the sand.
A semicolon joins two complete, closely related sentences with no conjunction.
- AYou will need: flour, eggs and milk.
- BYou will need three things: flour, eggs and milk.
- CYou will need three things; flour, eggs and milk.
- DYou will need: three things flour, eggs and milk.
Answer: You will need three things: flour, eggs and milk.
The words before the colon form a complete sentence, and the colon introduces the list.
- AI have one rule: be kind.
- BI have one rule; be kind.
- CI have one rule, be kind.
- DI have one rule be kind.
Answer: I have one rule: be kind.
The colon introduces an explanation of what the rule is.
- ASome people love summer, others prefer winter.
- BSome people love summer; others prefer winter.
- CSome people love summer; and others prefer winter.
- DSome people love summer: others prefer, winter.
Answer: Some people love summer; others prefer winter.
Two balanced main clauses joined by a semicolon. A comma alone would be a comma splice.
- AWe visited Perth, WA; Darwin, NT; and Hobart, Tasmania.
- BWe visited Perth, WA, Darwin, NT, and Hobart, Tasmania.
- CWe visited Perth; WA, Darwin; NT, and Hobart; Tasmania.
- DWe visited: Perth, WA, Darwin, NT, Hobart, Tasmania.
Answer: We visited Perth, WA; Darwin, NT; and Hobart, Tasmania.
When list items already contain commas, semicolons separate the items.
- AThe bus was late: so we missed the start.
- BThe bus was late; so we missed the start.
- CThe bus was late, so we missed the start.
- DThe bus was late so, we missed the start.
Answer: The bus was late, so we missed the start.
With a conjunction like 'so', use a comma, not a semicolon or colon.
Part B — Semicolon or colon?
Write ; or : in each gap.
Answer: ;
Two complete, related sentences.
Answer: :
A complete sentence followed by a list.
Answer: :
The colon introduces an explanation of the goal.
Answer: ;
Two balanced main clauses.
Answer: :
A colon separates hours and minutes.
Answer: :
The colon introduces what the problem was.
Part C — True or false?
Circle True or False.
Answer: True
Answer: True
Answer: False
Use a comma before 'and'. A semicolon replaces the conjunction; it does not go with it.
Answer: True
Part D — Your turn
Model answer: My ideal weekend starts slowly; nobody sets an alarm. By ten o'clock we are at the beach with everything we need: towels, a frisbee and a bag of mangoes. The afternoon is for reading in the shade. Dinner is always the same: fish and chips on the sand.
Success criteria:
- Four to five complete sentences
- At least one semicolon joining two related main clauses
- At least one colon after a complete sentence
- Marks circled
- No comma splices
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.
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