The document provides examples of using semi-colons and colons in sentences. It gives guidelines on when to use semi-colons to connect two closely linked independent clauses and when to use colons to introduce a list, details, or an explanation. There are also exercises for the students to practice inserting semi-colons and colons in provided sentences.
The document provides examples of using semi-colons and colons in sentences. It gives guidelines on when to use semi-colons to connect two closely linked independent clauses and when to use colons to introduce a list, details, or an explanation. There are also exercises for the students to practice inserting semi-colons and colons in provided sentences.
The document provides examples of using semi-colons and colons in sentences. It gives guidelines on when to use semi-colons to connect two closely linked independent clauses and when to use colons to introduce a list, details, or an explanation. There are also exercises for the students to practice inserting semi-colons and colons in provided sentences.
The document provides examples of using semi-colons and colons in sentences. It gives guidelines on when to use semi-colons to connect two closely linked independent clauses and when to use colons to introduce a list, details, or an explanation. There are also exercises for the students to practice inserting semi-colons and colons in provided sentences.
CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 9: LANGUAGE WORKSHEET 2.
Name Date
Language worksheet 2.1
In this worksheet, you will focus on semi-colons and colons. Semi-colons connect two statements that are closely linked. Consider these two sentences: Ruby does well in science. Praveen is better at maths. They could be joined using a comma and a conjunction: • Ruby does well in science, but Praveen is better at maths. • Although Ruby does well in science, Praveen is better at maths. Alternatively, they can be joined using a semi-colon: • Ruby does well in science; Praveen is better at maths. Colons can introduce a list or be used before details or explanations: • The days of the week are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. • He was really late: he came running in, breathing hard and saying sorry over and over again. • He was really late: his car would not start and then the bus he took was very behind schedule. Semi-colons should be used to separate longer items in a list, for clarity: • My top five films are: Avengers Endgame; The Fault in Our Stars; X-Men Apocalypse; The Maze Runner; and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
1 Read these examples, then add a semi-colon in the appropriate place.
a Ruby was late for gym practice again today her mother was kept behind at work and so couldn’t give her a lift. b I am doing my homework as soon as I get in from school from now on I will then be able to play video games for the rest of the evening. c I spend a lot of time outdoors when it is warm there’s so much you can do in the sunshine. d Athletics is the sport I am best at I won first place in the 100 metres at Regional Championships last year. e There was a huge hole ahead of us I could see smoke drifting up from the bottom. f The first train takes an hour and leaves at 10 a.m. the second takes 90 minutes and leaves at noon. g I did a survey of countries with long names and these are the top five: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
h Ruby is the world’s best maker of marshmallow hot chocolate Praveen is the world’s worst at resisting the temptation to run away when it’s time to wash up. i The football match was a huge disappointment on Sunday there was no excitement at all. j I wish I had revised more for my exams I feel so unprepared.
2 Read these examples, then place a colon in an appropriate place to show a list, details or where an explanation follows. For lists, you will also need to add commas. a My brother is always on time for everything he always sets his alarm and constantly checks the time on his phone. b My favourite thing is cinema and I love any type of film action science fiction comedies. c Extremely committed and hard-working very many parents are like this. d Formula One motor racing football and tennis these are my favourite sports to watch on TV. e Ruby helps around the house a lot she tidies her room helps with cooking and washing up and sweeps outside the front door. f To fight climate change we will need to consider many aspects of life transport energy use how we heat or cool our home and food production. g I couldn’t find my textbook this morning it was buried under loads of papers on my desk. h Praveen found a key in the playground it had a butterfly keyring attached to it. i The train was late again the engineering works on the tracks from the weekend were still going on. j I stopped researching that project I wasn’t interested enough in it.
