6th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 9 of 12
Punctuation Power
Colons, scripts and transitions
What your child practices
Using a colon in a formal greeting or after a speaker's name in a script, and putting a comma after words like However and phrases like For example.
Washington State Learning Standards learning standard: ELA.6.L.5 · colons, scripts and transitions
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which line of a script is punctuated correctly to show a new speaker?
- MAYA, Where did you put my hat?
- MAYA; Where did you put my hat?
- MAYA: Where did you put my hat?
MAYA: Where did you put my hat?
Hint: In a script, a colon follows the speaker's name.
Question 2
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
- Meanwhile the others, waited outside.
- Meanwhile, the others waited outside.
- Meanwhile; the others waited outside.
Meanwhile, the others waited outside.
Hint: Put a comma right after a transitional word like meanwhile.
Question 3
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
- Therefore we packed, extra water.
- Therefore, we packed extra water.
- Therefore; we packed extra water.
Therefore, we packed extra water.
Hint: Put the comma straight after Therefore.
Question 4
Which sentence uses a comma after a transitional word correctly?
- However; the game was canceled.
- However, the game was canceled.
- However the game was canceled.
However, the game was canceled.
Hint: Put a comma after a transitional word at the start of a sentence.
Question 5
Which memo line is correct?
- To; All Grade 6 Students
- To, All Grade 6 Students
- To: All Grade 6 Students
To: All Grade 6 Students
Hint: A colon follows labels like To and From in a memo.
Question 6
Which greeting is correct in a formal letter?
- Dear Principal Brown;
- Dear Principal Brown:
- Dear Principal Brown.
Dear Principal Brown:
Hint: A colon follows the greeting in a formal letter.