Commas and Semicolons in Complex Sentences — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 9 punctuation worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 9 · English · PunctuationCommas and Semicolons in Complex Sentences — Answers
Part A: Choose the correct sentence
A comma follows an introductory clause or phrase and marks off extra (non-essential) information. A semicolon joins two closely related sentences that could each stand alone. Circle the correctly punctuated sentence.
- AWhen the bell rang the students, packed up quickly.
- BWhen the bell rang, the students packed up quickly.
- CWhen, the bell rang the students packed up quickly.
- DWhen the bell rang the students packed, up quickly.
Answer: When the bell rang, the students packed up quickly.
The introductory subordinate clause When the bell rang is followed by a comma before the main clause.
- AThe library was silent; and everyone was studying.
- BThe library; was silent everyone was studying.
- CThe library was silent; everyone was studying for the exam.
- DThe library was silent, everyone was studying for the exam.
Answer: The library was silent; everyone was studying for the exam.
A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses. The last option is a comma splice, and a semicolon is not used before and.
- AThe forecast predicted rain, however, the match went ahead.
- BThe forecast predicted rain; however, the match went ahead.
- CThe forecast predicted rain however; the match went ahead.
- DThe forecast predicted rain; however the match, went ahead.
Answer: The forecast predicted rain; however, the match went ahead.
However joins two independent clauses here, so it needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
- AMy brother who lives in Canada, is visiting next week.
- BMy brother, who lives in Canada is visiting next week.
- CMy brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting next week.
- DMy brother who, lives in Canada, is visiting next week.
Answer: My brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting next week.
The clause who lives in Canada adds extra information, so it needs a comma at both ends.
- AThe tour visited Rome, Italy; Paris, France; and Berlin, Germany.
- BThe tour visited Rome; Italy, Paris; France, and Berlin; Germany.
- CThe tour visited Rome, Italy, Paris, France, and Berlin, Germany.
- DThe tour visited: Rome Italy; Paris France; and Berlin Germany.
Answer: The tour visited Rome, Italy; Paris, France; and Berlin, Germany.
Each list item already contains a comma, so semicolons separate the items. With commas only, the reader cannot tell how many places were visited.
- AWe stayed, inside because it was raining.
- BWe stayed inside, because, it was raining.
- CBecause it was raining we stayed, inside.
- DWe stayed inside because it was raining.
Answer: We stayed inside because it was raining.
The main clause comes first and because it was raining follows it, so no comma is needed.
Part B: Add the missing commas
Rewrite each sentence with the missing comma or commas.
Answer: Although she had trained for months, she was nervous before the race.
- Comma after the introductory subordinate clause.
Answer: If you finish early, you may start the extension task.
- Comma after the introductory clause beginning with If.
Answer: The old bridge, which was built over a century ago, will be repaired next year.
- The which clause is extra information, so it is marked off at both ends.
Answer: Determined to win, the team trained every afternoon.
- Comma after the introductory phrase.
Answer: Jonah, my cousin, plays the cello in a youth orchestra.
- my cousin is an appositive (it renames Jonah), so it sits between commas.
Part C: Semicolons and comma splices
A comma splice joins two complete sentences with only a comma. Fix each comma splice with a semicolon, then answer true or false.
Answer: The power went out; we lit candles.
- Two independent clauses: replace the comma splice with a semicolon.
Answer: The experiment failed; therefore, we repeated it.
- Semicolon before therefore and a comma after it.
Answer: Some students prefer to study in silence; others like quiet music.
- The two clauses contrast closely, so a semicolon works well.
Answer: True
Each side of the semicolon must be able to stand alone as a sentence.
Answer: False
because the questions were long is a dependent clause and cannot stand alone. Write: The test was difficult because the questions were long.
Answer: False
Joining two independent clauses with only a comma creates a comma splice. Use a semicolon, a full sentence break, or a comma with a joining word such as and or but.
Part D: Lists that need semicolons
When list items already contain commas, separate the items with semicolons. Rewrite each sentence.
Answer: The committee includes Ana Ruiz, the captain; Leo Park, the treasurer; and Mia Chen, the secretary.
- Semicolons separate the three people; commas stay inside each item.
Answer: We packed sandwiches, which we made that morning; apples, which came from the garden; and a flask of hot soup.
- Two items contain their own commas, so semicolons separate the items.
Part E: Your turn
Model answer: When I walk into the local library on a Saturday morning, the first thing I notice is the quiet. The reading room, which has tall windows on three sides, fills with soft light. Some people come to work on laptops; others come simply to read the newspaper. The chairs are old and a little uncomfortable; however, nobody seems to mind. By lunchtime the room is full, so I usually have to share a table.
Success criteria:
- An introductory clause or phrase followed by a comma
- A non-essential clause or appositive with a comma at both ends
- Two independent clauses correctly joined by a semicolon
- A semicolon before however or therefore, with a comma after it
- No comma splices; paragraph stays on one topic
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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