Understand the rule first
First decide what the punctuation must do: end a sentence, separate items, mark extra information, introduce an explanation or show direct speech.
Punctuation control 11+ practice
Choose punctuation from the relationship between ideas and apply it accurately.
Punctuate: ‘I packed three items water fruit and a torch.’
- The first clause is complete: ‘I packed three items.’
- A colon can introduce the promised list.
- Commas separate the first two list items.
A common misconception
Adding punctuation wherever a reader might pause instead of checking the grammatical structure.
Reusable method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.Question 1 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich sentence uses a colon correctly?
- AThe bag contained: a rope, a map and food.
- BThe bag contained three things: a rope, a map and food.
- CThe bag: contained a rope, a map and food.
- DThe bag contained three: things a rope, a map and food.
Need a hint?
The words before a colon should form a complete clause.
Show worked answer
Answer B: The bag contained three things: a rope, a map and food.
‘The bag contained three things’ is complete and the colon introduces those things.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 2 of 10 EnglishcoreChoose the correctly punctuated sentence.
- AMy uncle who lives in York, is visiting.
- BMy uncle, who lives in York is visiting.
- CMy uncle, who lives in York, is visiting.
- DMy uncle who, lives in York, is visiting.
Need a hint?
The extra clause needs a matched pair of commas.
Show worked answer
Answer C: My uncle, who lives in York, is visiting.
‘Who lives in York’ is extra information, so it is enclosed by commas.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 3 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich direct-speech sentence is correct?
- A“Wait for me”! called Asha.
- B“Wait for me!” called Asha.
- C“Wait for me” called, Asha!
- DWait for me! “called Asha.”
Need a hint?
The exclamation belongs inside the closing speech mark.
Show worked answer
Answer B: “Wait for me!” called Asha.
The spoken words and their exclamation mark stay inside the speech marks; the reporting clause follows.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 4 of 10 Englishexam-styleChoose the correctly punctuated sentence.
- AAfter lunch we packed, the tent and left.
- BAfter lunch, we packed the tent and left.
- CAfter, lunch we packed the tent and left.
- DAfter lunch we, packed the tent and left.
Need a hint?
An introductory phrase can be separated from the main clause.
Show worked answer
Answer B: After lunch, we packed the tent and left.
The comma follows the introductory phrase ‘After lunch’.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 5 of 10 Englishexam-styleWhich sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?
- AThe two girls coat's were wet.
- BThe two girl's coats were wet.
- CThe two girls' coats were wet.
- DThe two girls coats' were wet.
Need a hint?
The coats belong to more than one girl.
Show worked answer
Answer C: The two girls' coats were wet.
Girls is already plural, so the possessive apostrophe follows the s: girls’ coats.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 6 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich sentence uses a colon correctly?
- AShe packed three essentials: water, food and a torch.
- BShe packed: three essentials water, food and a torch.
- CThe three: essentials were water, food and a torch.
- DShe: packed water, food and a torch.
Need a hint?
The words before a colon should form a complete statement.
Show worked answer
Answer A: She packed three essentials: water, food and a torch.
‘She packed three essentials’ is complete, and the colon introduces the list.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 7 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich sentence punctuates direct speech correctly?
- A“Wait” called Amir, “the gate is closing.”
- B“Wait!” called Amir. “The gate is closing.”
- C“Wait! called Amir.” The gate is closing.
- DWait! “called Amir. The gate is closing.”
Need a hint?
Keep the spoken words inside quotation marks and punctuate each complete speech sentence.
Show worked answer
Answer B: “Wait!” called Amir. “The gate is closing.”
Both spoken sentences are enclosed and punctuated correctly, with the reporting clause between them.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 8 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
- AThe path was steep; and slippery.
- BThe path; was steep and slippery.
- CThe path was steep; we continued carefully.
- DThe path was; steep, we continued carefully.
Need a hint?
A semicolon can join two closely related complete clauses.
Show worked answer
Answer C: The path was steep; we continued carefully.
‘The path was steep’ and ‘we continued carefully’ can each stand alone, so a semicolon can join them.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 9 of 10 EnglishexamWhich sentence is punctuated correctly?
- ABefore sunrise we packed, our bags and left.
- BBefore sunrise; we packed our bags, and left.
- CBefore, sunrise we packed our bags and left.
- DBefore sunrise, we packed our bags and left.
Need a hint?
Use a comma after an opening adverbial phrase.
Show worked answer
Answer D: Before sunrise, we packed our bags and left.
‘Before sunrise’ is an opening adverbial, so it is followed by a comma.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.
Question 10 of 10 EnglishstretchWhich sentence correctly links the two ideas with ‘however’?
- AThe storm ended; however, the roads remained flooded.
- BThe storm ended, however the roads remained flooded.
- CThe storm ended however; the roads remained flooded.
- DThe storm; ended, however, the roads remained flooded.
Need a hint?
Use a semicolon before ‘however’ and a comma after it when joining two clauses.
Show worked answer
Answer A: The storm ended; however, the roads remained flooded.
The semicolon separates the complete clauses, and the comma follows the connective ‘however’.
Quick method: Check that the words before a colon can stand as a complete statement.