Use the COLON correctly with 4 rules (CCSS L.6.2.b; English NC Y6 V/G/P)
Exercise Difficulty 3 ~6 min eng.g6.s.ex_44

Distinguish Colon Semicolon

Prompt

For 5 sentences, decide: COLON or SEMICOLON? (1) 'Maya knew the answer ___ she had practiced.' (2) 'Bring three items ___ pencil, notebook, mind.' (3) 'Maya cooked dinner ___ Sara washed dishes.' (4) 'Lincoln declared ___ government of the people, by the people, for the people.' (5) 'The argument was strong ___ however, the evidence was thin.'

M-6-S-GR-EX-44-A Interactive Physical / non-image

Colon-vs-semicolon decision worksheet with 5 sentences + 5 punctuation choices + rule named. Self-check on reverse. Print-ready 8.5x11.

Answer criteria
type classification
correct
  1. COLON (Rule 4 — second clause explains first)
  2. COLON (Rule 1 — list)
  3. SEMICOLON (Rule 1 — two ICs)
  4. COLON (Rule 3 — before quotation)
  5. SEMICOLON (Rule 2 — before conjunctive adverb)
Hints
  1. Colon = promise of explanation/list/quote.
  2. Semicolon = two equal ICs joined.
Misconceptions to watch
  • Uses colon between two unrelated ICs.
  • Uses semicolon to introduce a list.