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Colons and Semicolons Practice

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Colons and Semicolons Practice

Punctuation marks illustration

📚 Part 1: Understanding Colons and Semicolons

Colons (:) are used to:

• Introduce a list: I need three things: pencils, paper, and erasers.

• Introduce an explanation: She knew the answer: hard work pays off.

• After greetings in business letters: Dear Principal Johnson:

Semicolons (;) are used to:

• Connect two related complete sentences: The test was difficult; I studied hard.

• Separate items in a list when items contain commas: We visited Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Miami, Florida.

1. Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

My favorite subjects are: math, science, and reading.

My favorite subjects are math, science, and reading.

I have three favorite subjects: math, science, and reading.

I have: three favorite subjects math, science, and reading.

2. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

The weather was cold; so I wore a jacket.

The weather was cold; I wore a jacket.

The weather was cold, I wore a jacket.

The weather was cold: I wore a jacket.

3. Choose the sentence that needs a colon:

She brought snacks and drinks to the party.

The teacher made an announcement the field trip is canceled.

We played games during recess yesterday.

The students worked quietly on their projects.

✏️ Part 2: Fix the Sentences

4. Add the correct punctuation (colon or semicolon) to this sentence:

Dear Mrs. Garcia_____ Thank you for helping me with my project.

5. Fix this sentence by adding the correct punctuation:

I packed everything for camp___ clothes, toiletries, snacks, and books.

6. Combine these two sentences using a semicolon:

The library was quiet. Students were studying for their tests.

7. Add punctuation to fix this sentence:

The cafeteria serves lunch from 11_30 to 1_00 many students eat during first lunch.

🎯 Part 3: STAAR Practice

8. Read this sentence. Which change should be made?

My brother has one goal this year, to make the basketball team.

Change the comma to a colon

Change the comma to a semicolon

Add a semicolon after "year"

No change is needed

9. Which sentence is written correctly?

The storm was approaching; we decided to go inside.

The storm was approaching: we decided to go inside.

The storm was approaching, we decided to go inside.

The storm was approaching we decided to go inside.

10. Write your own sentence using a colon to introduce a list:
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