Success TutoringWorksheets

Question Marks, Exclamation Marks and Indirect Questions — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 8 punctuation worksheet.

Download answers PDFPrint answersBack to worksheet
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 8 · English · Punctuation

Question Marks, Exclamation Marks and Indirect Questions — Answers

Part A: Which ending?

Circle the punctuation mark that should end each sentence.

1.Where did you leave the keys[ ]
  1. Aquestion mark ( ? )
  2. Bexclamation mark ( ! )
  3. Cstatement ending ( . )

Answer: question mark ( ? )

This is a direct question, so it ends with a question mark.

2.She asked me where I had left the keys[ ]
  1. Aquestion mark ( ? )
  2. Bexclamation mark ( ! )
  3. Cstatement ending ( . )

Answer: statement ending ( . )

This is an indirect question: it reports a question rather than asking it. It ends like a statement ( . ), not with a question mark.

3.Watch out, the pan is hot[ ]
  1. Aquestion mark ( ? )
  2. Bexclamation mark ( ! )
  3. Cstatement ending ( . )

Answer: exclamation mark ( ! )

An urgent warning expresses strong feeling, so an exclamation mark suits it.

4.I wonder whether it will rain tomorrow[ ]
  1. Aquestion mark ( ? )
  2. Bexclamation mark ( ! )
  3. Cstatement ending ( . )

Answer: statement ending ( . )

I wonder whether makes this a statement about wondering, not a direct question.

5.Could you please close the door[ ]
  1. Aquestion mark ( ? )
  2. Bexclamation mark ( ! )
  3. Cstatement ending ( . )

Answer: question mark ( ? )

A polite request is phrased as a question, so it usually takes a question mark. (Some writers end very formal requests with ( . ), but a question mark is always correct.)

6.The coach wanted to know who had taken the extra ball[ ]
  1. Aquestion mark ( ? )
  2. Bexclamation mark ( ! )
  3. Cstatement ending ( . )

Answer: statement ending ( . )

Indirect question: it reports what the coach wanted to know.

7.What an incredible goal[ ]
  1. Aquestion mark ( ? )
  2. Bexclamation mark ( ! )
  3. Cstatement ending ( . )

Answer: exclamation mark ( ! )

Sentences starting with What a or How that express amazement are exclamations, even though they begin with question words.

8.Isn't it time we fixed the broken fountain[ ]
  1. Aquestion mark ( ? )
  2. Bexclamation mark ( ! )
  3. Cstatement ending ( . )

Answer: question mark ( ? )

This is a rhetorical question. It does not need an answer, but it is still a question and takes a question mark.

Part B: Direct and indirect

Rewrite each sentence as instructed.

9.Change to an indirect question: "Are you coming to the game?" asked Mia.

Answer: Mia asked if I was coming to the game.

  1. Also correct: Mia asked whether I was coming to the game.
  2. The word order changes (you are → I was) and the question mark becomes a statement ending ( . ).
10.Change to an indirect question: "Why is the sky blue?" my little brother asked.

Answer: My little brother asked why the sky is blue.

  1. Also correct: My little brother asked why the sky was blue.
11.Change to a direct question: The teacher asked how many students had finished.

Answer: "How many students have finished?" the teacher asked.

  1. Also correct: The teacher asked, "How many students have finished?"
12."He asked if he could borrow a pen?" is correctly punctuated.

Answer: False

It is an indirect question, so it should end like a statement: He asked if he could borrow a pen.

Part C: Use them wisely

13.This message uses too many exclamation marks. Rewrite it so it uses no more than one. "Hi everyone!!! The bake sale is on Friday!! Please bring a plate of something yummy! All money goes to the library! Thank you!!!"

Answer: Model: Hi everyone. The bake sale is on Friday. Please bring a plate of something to share; all money raised goes to the library. Thank you! (Any version with at most one exclamation mark, used for genuine enthusiasm.)

14.Why do formal letters, reports and essays rarely use exclamation marks?

Answer: Exclamation marks express strong emotion, which can make formal writing sound over-excited or less serious. In formal writing, the strength of the words and ideas should do the work.

15.Write one sentence where an exclamation mark is the best choice, and explain why.

Answer: Model: Stop! The bridge is out! An exclamation mark is best because it is an urgent warning that needs to grab attention instantly.

Part D: Your turn

16.Your turn: write a short conversation (6–8 lines) between two characters who have just found something unexpected. Include at least two direct questions, one indirect question in the narration, one exclamation mark used for genuine strong feeling and one rhetorical question. Underline each one.

Model answer: "What is that?" Ruby whispered, pointing at the glowing jar under the stairs. Max asked whether she had seen it there before. She shook her head. "Who would hide a jar of light in a cupboard?" "Don't touch it!" Max hissed as she reached forward. Ruby pulled back her hand. "Do you think it's dangerous?" "Do I look like I want to find out?" Max said.

Success criteria:

  • At least two direct questions ending with question marks
  • One indirect question ending like a statement, without a question mark
  • One exclamation mark used for genuine strong feeling
  • One rhetorical question
  • Dialogue is set out and punctuated correctly
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

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.

Great work. Here's what to try next: