Grade 7 Semicolons, Colons & Dashes worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- A semicolon joins two related complete sentences: “It was raining; we stayed inside.”
- A colon comes after a complete sentence to introduce a list or explanation.
- Dashes add emphasis or show an interruption — like this.
Example: “Maya forgot her lunch ___ Ana shared hers.” Which punctuation joins these two sentences? Both parts are complete sentences, and they are related. A comma alone would be a comma splice. Answer: ; (semicolon)
Question 1
Which punctuation belongs in both blanks?
My brother ___ who never eats vegetables ___ asked for more salad.
- ; ; (semicolons)
- — — (a pair of dashes)
- : : (colons)
— — (a pair of dashes)
Hint: A pair of dashes can set off an interruption in the middle of a sentence. Semicolons and colons can't do that job.
Question 2
Which sentence uses dashes correctly?
- The prize—a brand-new telescope—went to Ana.
- The prize; a brand-new telescope; went to Ana.
- The prize—a brand-new telescope went—to Ana.
- The prize: a brand-new telescope: went to Ana.
The prize—a brand-new telescope—went to Ana.
Hint: Dashes go around the extra information. Read the sentence without it: “The prize went to Ana.”
Question 3
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
- The library was quiet; everyone was reading.
- The library; was quiet and calm.
- The library was quiet; because everyone was reading.
- We need three books; a novel, a dictionary and an atlas.
The library was quiet; everyone was reading.
Hint: A semicolon joins two complete sentences. Check: could the words on each side stand alone?
Question 4
Why is a pair of dashes used in this sentence?
Her cousin—the one who plays the cello—is visiting.
- To show the time of day
- To introduce a list
- To join two complete sentences
- To set off extra information in the middle
To set off extra information in the middle
Hint: Take out the part between the dashes. The sentence still works without it.
Question 5
Why is a colon used in this sentence?
Leo had one goal for the summer: to learn to juggle.
- To show a time of day
- To set off an interruption
- To introduce an explanation of what came before
- To join two equal complete sentences
To introduce an explanation of what came before
Hint: What comes after the colon tells us exactly what the goal was.
Question 6
Which punctuation mark belongs in the blank?
The trail was icy ___ however, we reached the top.
- , (comma)
- ; (semicolon)
- : (colon)
; (semicolon)
Hint: Use a semicolon before a linking word like however or therefore when it joins two complete sentences.
Question 7
Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
- We saw three animals; a deer, a fox and an owl.
- We saw three animals: a deer, a fox and an owl.
- We saw: a deer, a fox and an owl.
- We saw three animals, a deer: a fox and an owl.
We saw three animals: a deer, a fox and an owl.
Hint: A colon can introduce a list, but only after a complete sentence. “We saw” isn't complete on its own; “We saw three animals” is.
Question 8
Which sentence correctly joins two complete thoughts?
- It was; raining we stayed inside.
- It was raining, we stayed inside.
- It was raining we stayed inside.
- It was raining; we stayed inside.
It was raining; we stayed inside.
Hint: Two complete sentences that are closely related can be joined with a semicolon. A comma alone would make a comma splice.
Question 9
What does the dash do in this sentence?
After three hours of searching, we found the keys—in my own coat pocket.
- It shows the time of day.
- It creates a pause before a surprising detail.
- It introduces a formal list.
- It joins two complete sentences.
It creates a pause before a surprising detail.
Hint: Read it aloud. The dash makes you pause, which sets up the surprise.
Question 10
Why are semicolons used in this sentence?
We visited Halifax, Nova Scotia; Regina, Saskatchewan; and Victoria, British Columbia.
- To join two dependent clauses
- To show a sudden break in thought
- To separate list items that already contain commas
- To introduce a list
To separate list items that already contain commas
Hint: Each place name has a comma inside it. What would happen if commas separated the items too?
Answer key
- 1. — — (a pair of dashes)
- 2. The prize—a brand-new telescope—went to Ana.
- 3. The library was quiet; everyone was reading.
- 4. To set off extra information in the middle
- 5. To introduce an explanation of what came before
- 6. ; (semicolon)
- 7. We saw three animals: a deer, a fox and an owl.
- 8. It was raining; we stayed inside.
- 9. It creates a pause before a surprising detail.
- 10. To separate list items that already contain commas
Want more than 10 questions?
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