The colon that introduces and the semicolon that joins
Lesson 13 of 16 Year 6
Task 1 gives the letter of the right option as printed on the sheet. Task 2 lists the mistakes in the order they appear, with the correction. Task 3 and 4 answers are models, not the only acceptable wording: any answer that uses the rule the lesson taught should be credited.
MildRead each half on its own. If both stand, a comma cannot join them, the semicolon can.
1 · Tick the right one
a Ab Bc Bd AA = left option, B = right option
3 · Now you write
Model answers
Tick: the oven hummed · The kitchen was quiet; the oven hummed.
Tick: the chef · One thing was missing: the chef.
Tick: The kitchen was quiet. The oven hummed.
4 · Help Polpetta
Both halves are whole sentences, so a full stop could go there, and a comma cannot hold two sentences together. He needs a semicolon or a full stop: The oven is hot; the pan is ready.
2 · Find the 3 mistakes
1
The oven is hot, the pan is ready.
The oven is hot; the pan is ready.
2
The bread had gone, nobody knew who took it.
The bread had gone; nobody knew who took it.
3
Leo washed up, Mia dried.
Leo washed up; Mia dried.
The colon in One rule matters: taste before you serve is the mark already doing its job. A full stop is also an acceptable repair for each comma splice.
MediumTwo verbs, two marks. The colon introduces what was promised; the semicolon joins two whole sentences.
1 · Tick the right one
a Ab Ac Bd BA = left option, B = right option
3 · Now you write
Model answers
Tick: Leo washed up. Mia dried the plates., It rained all day. The café was empty. · Leo washed up; Mia dried the plates.
Tick: The reason was simple, We needed three things · The reason was simple: the oven had broken.
Tick: The soup was cold; the service was slow., The soup was cold. The service was slow.
4 · Help Polpetta
Each half is a whole sentence, so a comma is not strong enough to join them; that is a comma splice. Two repairs: The oven is hot; the pan is ready. Or: The oven is hot. The pan is ready. (A joining word also works: The oven is hot and the pan is ready.)
2 · Find the 4 mistakes
1
The oven is hot, the pan is ready.
The oven is hot; the pan is ready.
2
Bring three things; a knife, a board and a cloth.
Bring three things: a knife, a board and a cloth.
3
We opened at eight, the queue was already long.
We opened at eight; the queue was already long.
4
The soup was cold; The service was slow.
The soup was cold; the service was slow.
Nonna never measures; her cakes are perfect is the perfect semicolon (the decoy). The colon in One rule matters: taste before you serve is also correct and must not be marked.
SpicyProve every mark: the colon keeps a promise, the semicolon holds two whole sentences, and neither takes a capital after it.
1 · Tick the right one
a Ab Ac Bd AA = left option, B = right option
3 · Now you write
Model answers
One rule matters: taste before you serve; nobody wants cold soup.
The café was full; we waited outside. The café was full. We waited outside. I would print the semicolon, because the two halves belong together.
Wrong: We waited outside; because the café was full. Rewrite: We waited outside; the café was full.
4 · Help Polpetta
Two things are wrong. The capital A cannot follow a semicolon, because a semicolon does not end a sentence. And the semicolon cannot sit with and, because the semicolon does the joining word's job; you use one or the other. A semicolon on its own would be right: The oven is hot; the pan is ready.
2 · Find the 6 mistakes
1
The oven is hot, the pan is ready.
The oven is hot; the pan is ready.
2
Bring three things; a knife, a board and a cloth.
Bring three things: a knife, a board and a cloth.
3
We opened at eight, the queue was already long.
We opened at eight; the queue was already long.
4
The reason was simple, the oven had broken twice and half of Rome had heard.
The reason was simple: the oven had broken twice and half of Rome had heard.
5
The soup was cold; The service was slow.
The soup was cold; the service was slow.
6
The bell rang, service began.
The bell rang; service began.
Nonna never measures; her cakes are perfect is the perfect semicolon. The colon in One rule matters is also right. The comma in the first sentence (news for the staff, and there was plenty of it) is fine because and is doing the joining. For The reason was simple, accept a semicolon or full stop, but the colon is best because the second half gives the reason it promised.