Semicolons, Colons, Parentheses, and Dashes — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 6th Grade punctuation worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet6th Grade · English · PunctuationSemicolons, Colons, Parentheses, and Dashes — Answers
Part A: Which one is right?
Circle the sentence that is punctuated correctly.
- AThe storm was loud; we stayed inside.
- BThe storm was loud; and we stayed inside.
- CThe storm; was loud we stayed inside.
- DThe storm was loud, we stayed inside.
Answer: The storm was loud; we stayed inside.
A semicolon joins two complete, related sentences without a conjunction. A comma alone cannot join them.
- ABring these items: a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler.
- BBring: a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler.
- CBring these items; a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler.
- DBring these: items a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler.
Answer: Bring these items: a pencil, an eraser, and a ruler.
A colon introduces a list after a complete sentence. Do not put a colon straight after a verb such as "bring."
- AOur class pet (a turtle named Speedy) sleeps all day.
- BOur class pet (a turtle named Speedy sleeps all day.)
- COur class (pet a turtle named Speedy) sleeps all day.
- D(Our class pet) a turtle named Speedy sleeps all day.
Answer: Our class pet (a turtle named Speedy) sleeps all day.
The parentheses go around only the extra information. The sentence still makes sense without it.
- AI opened the box and found—nothing!
- BI opened the box and found nothing—!
- CI—opened the box and found nothing!
- DI opened—the box and found nothing!
Answer: I opened the box and found—nothing!
The dash creates a pause before the surprise.
Part B: Add the mark
Rewrite each sentence, adding the punctuation mark named in parentheses.
Answer: I have three pets: a dog, a cat, and a fish.
Answer: Maya likes to paint; Leo likes to draw.
Answer: It rained all day; however, the game went on.
Answer: The meeting starts at 3:30.
Answer: My cousin (who lives in Waco) is visiting next week.
Answer: We waited for an hour—and then the bus broke down.
Part C: Edit the sentences
Each sentence has several mistakes in capital letters and punctuation. Rewrite it correctly. Use the serial comma (a comma before and in a series).
Answer: Dr. Smith said, "Wash your hands before lunch."
Answer: We visited Austin, Texas, on March 2, 2024.
Answer: It's going to rain, so bring these things: an umbrella, a jacket, and boots.
Part D: True or false?
Circle True or False.
Answer: True
Answer: True
Answer: True
Answer: False
A semicolon joins two sentences without a conjunction such as and or but.
Part E: Edit the paragraph
last saturday my family drove to san antonio texas. we packed three things snacks water and a map. my brother who is nine slept the whole way. when we arrived he said "Are we there yet"? we laughed. it was a great day.
Model answer: Last Saturday, my family drove to San Antonio, Texas. We packed three things: snacks, water, and a map. My brother (who is nine) slept the whole way. When we arrived, he said, "Are we there yet?" We laughed; it was a great day.
Success criteria:
- Capital letters for the first word of each sentence and for Saturday, San Antonio, and Texas
- Commas between San Antonio and Texas, and in the series before "and"
- A colon before the list of three things
- Parentheses around "who is nine"
- A comma after the word said, and the question mark inside the closing quotation mark
- A semicolon joining "We laughed" and "it was a great day"
- The comma after "Last Saturday" is optional; accept the paragraph with or without it
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.