SPAG Focus: Colons, Semi-Colons and Dashes

Purpose of Colons, Semi-Colons and Dashes

Colons can be used to introduce an explanation or items in a list. Semi-colons can be used instead of a conjunction to join two closely connected ideas in a sentence. They can also be used to separate longer phrases or clauses in a list. A single dash can be used to connect two main clauses or to add more information to a previous clause.

Task One: Fill in the missing punctuation. You may write on the sheet.

1. Insert colons in the correct places in the sentences below.

• Josh had three activities after school athletics, swimming and judo.
• I’ve visited four countries Japan, Austria, France and Iceland.
• Sophie baked her favourite cakes at the weekend raspberry and white chocolate muffins.
• The zoo had lots of animals camels, elephants, lemurs, giraffes, lions and tigers.

2. Insert semi-colons in the correct places in the sentences below.

• The children were wet and muddy they desperately wanted to go home.
• Rafael was tired he had spent the day travelling home from Scotland with his family.
• Flora felt extremely excited her relatives were coming to visit from New Zealand.
• My team are taking part in a cricket tournament tomorrow I really hope we win.
• For your writing task today, you will need: a pencil with a sharp point a sheet of A4 lined paper and a new rubber to correct any mistakes that you make.

3. Insert dashes in the correct places in the sentences below.

• The wildlife programme was very interesting I found out a lot of new information.
• Ostriches are the largest running flightless birds they can reach speeds of around 70 kilometres per hour.
• I love to play the guitar I’m not as good as my sister though.
• There is one thing we’ve forgotten to pack for our camping trip the tent!

Task Two: Have a look at the evacuee picture from WW2.

Imagine you are one of those children in the picture. Write a short chapter describing what will happen on your evacuation journey in your English homework book.

Remember – you should spend at least 45 minutes on your homework.

You need to use semi-colons, colons and dashes, as well as:

*Adjectives/adverbs,

*Varied sentence openers,

*Range of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

Task 3:

Learn the following spellings. You will be tested on Wednesday 4^th October.

1. Nuisance
2. Secretary
3. Signature
4. Sufficient
5. Vegetable
6. Prejudice
7. Harass
8. Hindrance
9. Government
10. Committee

Challenge words: Luftwaffe, mischievous, controversy, chronological, consecutive