CoreIn almost every paper that tests this subjectAbout 45 seconds a question in the test
The big idea
Apostrophes show possession (the girl’s bag) or missing letters (don’t). Plural possession goes after the s (the girls’ changing room).
Direct speech: punctuation inside the speech marks, a new line for each new speaker. Commas separate list items, clauses and extra information.
Tips that save marks
“Its” never takes an apostrophe for possession.
A semicolon joins two complete, related sentences.
Relative clauses need a pair of commas: My sister, who is twelve, loves chess.
Now try five
Try each one before you look at the answer: answering from memory is what makes it stick. Tap an option to check it. Most children get three or four right at first; five out of five means move on to the next topic.
Question 1Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a punctuation mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, mumum, searching the
How to work it out
“Mum” is used as a name here, so it needs a capital letter.
Why the other options are wrong
A (“Where did you put): This part is punctuated correctly.
B (the calendar?” asked): This part is punctuated correctly.
D (kitchen drawers.): This part is punctuated correctly.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: “Mum” is used as a name here, so it needs a capital letter.
Question 2Aim for about 45 seconds
Which part has a punctuation mistake? Choose “No mistake” if there is none.
Show the worked answer
Answer: A, we usually visit
How to work it out
A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Why the other options are wrong
B (the island in August): This part is punctuated correctly.
C (when the weather): This part is punctuated correctly.
D (is warm and sunny.): This part is punctuated correctly.
E (No mistake): There is a mistake: A sentence always starts with a capital letter.
Question 3Aim for about 45 seconds
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Show the worked answer
Answer: D, My sister, who is twelve, loves chess.
How to work it out
The correct sentence is: My sister, who is twelve, loves chess.
Commas separate items in a list, or a fronted phrase from the rest of the sentence.
Question 4Aim for about 45 seconds
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Show the worked answer
Answer: B, After the storm, the garden was a mess.
How to work it out
The correct sentence is: After the storm, the garden was a mess.
Commas separate items in a list, or a fronted phrase from the rest of the sentence.
Question 5Aim for about 45 seconds
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Show the worked answer
Answer: C, The dog's bowl was empty.
How to work it out
The correct sentence is: The dog's bowl was empty.
An apostrophe shows missing letters (can’t) or that something belongs to someone (the cat’s).
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