Punctuation - Borders College Moodle

advertisement
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Full Stops And Sentences
Exercise 1
Read the passage below:
Have you got a mobile phone? I think it’s time I bought one. When
they first came out, I thought they were a luxury. I’ve changed my
mind now the kids are older. They can reach me in an emergency
wherever I am. I can stop worrying about them so much when they’re
out. Perhaps I need to get them both one each, as well!
 Put a circle round the full stops.
The full stops are used to show where
the sentences end. How many sentences are there? There are _____
sentences in the passage.

Check your answers. (See page 7.)
Exercise 2

Tick True or False
True
1
Sentences can be short and simple.
2
Sentences always begin with a capital letter.
3
Sentences are always the same length.
4
Sentences sometimes end with a question mark.
5
Sentences sometimes end with an exclamation mark.
6
Sentences sometimes end with a comma.
False
Check your answers with a tutor.
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
1
Writing pack 15
Exercise 3

Are these sentences? Tick to say Yes or No.
1
the remote control is broken
2
up the wall
3
I believe in ghosts
4
in the yellow pages
5
too much sun
6
can you believe it
7
do it now
8
he’s stupid
9
on 21st August
Yes
No
10 running down the road as fast as she possibly could

Now check your answers. (See page 7.)
Exercise 4
Add to these simple sentences to give more information.
Example:
1
I ran.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
It was raining.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
Can you do it?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

She fired the gun.
She fired the gun that she kept beside the bed.
ac k s
2
Writing pack 15
4
Liverpool FC won the Cup.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
It was so exciting!
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Read the sentences again. Make sure they start with a capital letter
and end with a full stop, a question mark or an exclamation mark.
Ask a tutor to check them.
Exercise 5 Now look at these. They are not sentences. Add to them
to make them sentences.
Example:

1
out of the house
She ran as fast as she could out of the house.
worst of the lot
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
at the end of the day
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
pushing his bike
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
too much sun
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
in the yellow pages
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Read your sentences again. Are you happy with them? Ask a tutor
to check them.
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
3
Writing pack 15
Exercise 6
Each of the following 1 – 10 have been written as one sentence but in
fact they are two sentences. Put in the full stops and capital letters
to show where the first sentence stops and the second one starts.
Example:
1
The bus was early we had to run to catch it.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
I’m returning this jumper to you it shrank in the wash.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
She gets on my nerves perhaps it’s because we’re too much alike.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
We’re always hearing about prisoners does anyone ever think about their
victims?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
Try the next street I think it’s next to the Post Office.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
6
Here you are at last it’s about time too!
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
7
Returning to learn was the best thing I ever did I should have done it
years ago.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

We went into the street it was very dark.
We went into the street. It was very dark.
ac k s
4
Writing pack 15
8
She fainted the heat was just too much.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
9
I’m off to the caravan on Saturday let’s hope it’s a nice day!
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
10 I’m really pleased you got the job you deserve it!
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Now check your answers. (See page 7.)
Exercise 7
Write out the following, putting in the full stops and capital letters.
There’s been a lot in the news recently about the dangers of mobile
phones they say using them too much can melt your brains it can be
pretty annoying having to listen to someone going on and on about
nothing in particular to a mate when you’re on the bus they go off all
the time in the pictures and places like that on the other hand it
would be handy to have one in the car though what do you think

.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Now check your answers. (See page 7.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
5
Writing pack 15
Exercise 8
Now, have a go at the following topics. Write two or three sentences
on each, putting full stops and capital letters in the right places.

What you think about mobile phones.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
What you think about computers.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
What you think about football.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Read your work again. Ask a tutor to check it.
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
6
Writing pack 15
Answers
Exercise 1
There are seven sentences in the story.
Exercise 2
1, 2, 4 and 5 are True. 3 and 6 are False. Sentences never end with a comma.
Exercise 3
Yes
1
the remote control is broken
yes
2
up the wall
3
I believe on ghosts
4
in the yellow pages
no
5
too much sun
no
6
can you believe it
yes
7
do it now
yes
8
he’s stupid
yes
No
no
yes
st
9
on 21 August
no
10
running down the road as fast as she possibly could
no
Exercise 6
1
The bus was early. We had to run to catch it.
2
I’m returning this jumper to you. It shrank in the wash.
3
She gets on my nerves. Perhaps it’s because we’re too much alike.
4
We’re always hearing about prisoners. Does anyone ever think about their victims?
5
Try the next street. I think it’s next to the Post Office.
6
Here you are at last. It’s about time too!
7
Returning to learn was the best thing I ever did. I should have done it years
ago.
8
She fainted. The heat was just too much.
9
I’m off to the caravan on Saturday. Let’s hope it’s a nice day!
10 I’m really pleased you got the job. You deserve it!
Exercise 5
There’s been a lot in the news recently about the dangers of mobile phones.
They say using them too much can melt your brains. It can be pretty annoying
having to listen to someone going on and on about nothing in particular to a mate
when you’re on the bus. They go off all the time in the pictures and places like
that. On the other hand it would be handy to have one in the car though. What
do you think.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
7
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Basic Sentence Structure
Before you start, look at the ‘Full Stops and Sentences’ sheet.
What’s a sentence? When we are talking, we often speak in odd words or
bits and pieces. When we write, though, we write in sentences.
Sentences


start with a capital letter and end with a full stop.
can be short or long.
Example:
The sun shone.
The sun shone brightly over the craggy bay.
The dog ran.
The dog ran swiftly to catch the stick.
Every sentence needs a subject and an action.
Example:
Look at the sentence Birds fly.
Birds is the subject.
fly
is the action or what the birds do.
Look at the sentence The chef shouted at his staff.
The chef is the subject.
shouted
is the action or what he did.
 Exercise 9
1
2
3
4
5
6
The dog barked.
The cat ran away.
I hope our team win.
Kerry and Liam have been to London.
Chris fell off his bike and hurt his head.
Amy is nine months old.
Check your answers. (See page 12.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

Underline the subject in following sentences:
ac k s
8
Writing pack 15
Now that you have found the subjects of these sentences, you need to be
able to recognise the action (or what the subject is doing).
Exercise 10
Match the subject with the action in the following:


Birds
The dog
I
She
The boy
The potato
laughed.
love ice cream.
tasted good.
fly.
barked.
is happy.
Check your answers. (See page 12.)
These are basic sentences.
Often sentences are more complicated and this is when you need to know
what a verb is. A verb is a doing word which describes the action. The verbs
in the sentences above are: fly, barked, love, laughed, is, tasted.
In these examples, the verbs are just one word in each sentence.
Sometimes a verb can consist of more than one word:
Example:
I am having a good time.
am having is the verb, consisting of two words.
Exercise 11
Find the subject and the verb in the following sentences:

1
Joe cleaned the garage.
Subject __________
Verb
__________
2
We were going to town.
Subject __________
Verb
__________
3
Gale was looking for the cat.
Subject __________
Verb
__________
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
9
Writing pack 15

4
They were packing their cases for their holiday.
Subject __________
Verb
__________
5
She had smoked her last cigarette.
Subject __________
Verb
__________
6
Chris and John are going to the nightclub.
Subject __________
Verb
__________
Check your answers. (See page 12.)
Exercise 12
Put in a missing word to make the following into sentences. Write
them out in full.

1
Tamika to stay in this country.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
Wesley to the door.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
The bedroom untidy.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
David to the bus stop.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
Town busy.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
6
The shop bargains.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
10
Writing pack 15
The words you have put in are likely to be verbs.

Check your answers with a tutor. (See page 13.)
NB. This worksheet is only a brief introduction to sentence
structure, subjects and verbs, which is quite a big topic. If you need
to know more about grammar and parts of speech, discuss it with your
tutor who may recommend further work.
Exercise 13
What word is missing in the incomplete sentences below? Write out
the sentence in full and say if the word is the subject or the verb:

1
went to college today.
.................................................................................................................................................................subject/verb
2
Veejay the children to bed.
.................................................................................................................................................................subject/verb
3
It today and we got wet.
.................................................................................................................................................................subject/verb
4
The house very cold.
.................................................................................................................................................................subject/verb
5
jammed on his brakes and swerved to avoid the dog.
.................................................................................................................................................................subject/verb
Remember: A sentence needs a subject (who or what is doing the action) and
an action, which is usually a verb that tells you what is happening.
Check your answers. (See page 13.)
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
11
Writing pack 15
Answers
Exercise 9
1
The dog barked.
2
The cat ran away.
3
I hope our team win.
4
Kerry and Liam have been to London.
5
Chris fell off his bike and hurt his head.
6
Amy is nine months old.
Exercise 10
Birds
The dog
I
She
The boy
The potato
fly.
barked.
love ice cream.
is happy.
laughed.
tasted good.
Exercise 11
1
Joe cleaned the garage.
Subject
Joe
Verb
cleaned
2
We were going to town.
Subject
We
Verb
were going
3
Gale was looking for the cat.
Subject
Gale
Verb
was looking
4
They were packing their cases for their holiday.
Subject
They
Verb
were packing
5
She had smoked her last cigarette.
Subject
She
Verb
had smoked
6
Chris and John are going to the nightclub.
Subject
Chris and John
Verb
are going
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
12
Writing pack 15
Exercise 12
1
Tamika wants to stay in this country.
2
Wesley ran/ went/ rushed to the door.
3
The bedroom was/ looked/ seemed untidy.
4
David ran/ walked/ strolled to the bus stop.
5
Town is/ was/ looked busy.
6
The shop sold/ sells bargains.
Exercise 13
1
I went to college today. subject
2
Veejay put the children to bed. verb
3
It rained today and we got wet. verb
4
The house was very cold. verb
5
He jammed on his brakes and swerved to avoid the dog. subject
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
13
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Capital Letters
Read the following piece of writing and underline or highlight the
capital letters.
Last Christmas I went on holiday to Australia. . I went with my
partner Ian and my two children Kerry and Liam. I have always
dreamed of going there but have never been able to afford it. It was
the holiday of a life time.
I had seen an article on Australia in ‘The Mirror’ newspaper, had
picked up lots of brochures from the travel agent in Allerton Road and
had seen it on ‘Wish You Were Here’, the holiday programme. I had
also read a book called ‘The Songlines’ by Bruce Chatwin and seen the
film ‘Crocodile Dundee’, which was set in Australia. I just couldn’t wait
to go.
We flew out on Monday 24th December from Heathrow Airport, which
is near London, and came back three weeks later on Sunday 14th
January to Manchester Airport. We went to Sydney, Melbourne and
Cairns. We had a great time and visited many places such as The
Great Barrier Reef and The Sydney Harbour Bridge. We are now
saving up to go back again.
Capital Letters are used for:







beginning sentences
the first letter of a person’s name
when I is used as a word
the first letter of names of places (countries, towns, streets and
landmarks)
the first letter of days and months
the first letter of special events and holidays
the first letter of titles of books, films, newspapers and TV programmes
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
14
Writing pack 15
Exercise 14
Have a go at finding an example of each of the following from the
piece of writing at the start of this sheet and write them in the box
below. Don’t forget to use capital letters.

A person’s name
A word that starts a sentence
The name of a country
The name of a street/road
The name of a town
The name of a landmark
A month
A day
A special event/holiday
The title of a newspaper
The title of a TV programme
The title of a book
The title of a film
Now have a go at thinking of an example of your own for each of the
following and write them in the box below. Don’t forget to use capital
letters.
A person’s name
A word that can start a sentence
The name of a country
The name of a street/road
The name of a town
The name of a landmark
A month
A day
A special event/holiday
The title of a newspaper
The title of a TV programme
The title of a book
The title of a film
continued
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
15
Writing pack 15
Exercise 15 Try writing the following sentences out again, putting
the capital letters where they are needed.
1
the weather forecast for wales was cloudy with some rain.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
mohamed is going out with his friends carl, ab and eamon.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
do you know where i can catch the number 27 bus to town?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
york minster is having a special service for easter sunday.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
ian is starting at liverpool community college on monday.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
6
kerry went on holiday to tenerife, which is a spanish island.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
7
liam reads ‘the liverpool echo’ and ‘the daily post’ every day.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
8
there will be roadworks in dale street in august and september.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
9
have you read ‘man and boy’ by nick parsons?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
10 ramadan is a special time for muslims all over the world.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
16
Writing pack 15
Exercise 16
Have a go at underlining the words in the list below that need a capital
letter.

cat
i
red
monday
bus
sarah
spring
car
christmas
rainy
eastenders
everest
man
harrods
eid
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
17
Writing pack 15
Suggested Answers
Exercise 14
A person’s name
A word that starts a sentence
The name of a country
The name of a street/road
The name of a town
The name of a landmark
A month
A day
A special event/holiday
The title of a newspaper
The title of a TV programme
The title of a book
The title of a film
Could be any of: Ian, Kerry, Liam or Bruce
Chatwin
Could be any of Last, I, It or We
Australia
Allerton Road
Could be any of London, Manchester,
Sydney, Melbourne or Cairns
Could be any of Heathrow Airport,
Manchester Airport, The Great Barrier
Reef or The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Could be either of December or January.
Could be either of Monday or Sunday.
Christmas
The Mirror
Wish You Were Here
The Songlines
Crocodile Dundee
Exercise 15
1
The weather forecast for Wales was cloudy with some rain.
2
Mohamed is going out with his friends Carl, Ab and Eamon.
3
Do you know where I can catch the 27 bus to town?
4
York Minster is having a special service for Easter Sunday.
5
Ian is starting at Liverpool Community College on Monday.
6
Kerry went on holiday to Tenerife which is a Spanish island.
7
Liam reads ‘The Liverpool Echo’ and ‘The Daily Post’ every day.
8
There will be roadworks in Dale Street in August and September.
9
Have you read ‘Man and Boy’ by Nick Parsons?
10 Ramadan is a special time for Muslims all over the world.
Exercise 16
I
Eastenders
Monday
Everest
Sarah
Harrods
Christmas
Eid
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
18
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Joining Sentences Together: 1
Conjunctions
Before you start, make sure you know what a sentence is. See the
‘Full Stops And Sentences’ sheet.
Exercise 17 Read the passage below.
The kids were really upset. Sox, our cat, caught a mouse. He killed it.
He left it in the back yard. I put it in a plastic bag. I threw it in the bin.

Underline where the full stops and capital letters are. How many
sentences are there?
There are _____ sentences.
This passage could be written like this:
The kids were really upset because Sox, our cat, caught a mouse. He
killed it and left it in the back yard so I put it in a plastic bag and
threw it in the bin.
Underline where the full stops and capital letters are.
How many sentences are there now?
There are _______ sentences.
 Now underline all the new words and write them down:
1
............................................
2
............................................
3
............................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
19
Writing pack 15
You can join sentences together, using any of these words:
because
although
so
and
but
after
while
until
before
when
where
as
yet
since
unless
if
Sometimes these words do other jobs as well but here they are joining
sentences together. When they do this job, they are called conjunctions.
Exercise 18
Join these sentences together, using a conjunction: one of the words
in the box above. The first one is done for you.
1
Ann stayed at home. Her husband was not well.
Ann stayed at home because her husband was not well.
2
Hannah and Phil went to the pub. They had been to see Phil’s mum in
hospital.

3
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Neeru rang the RAC. Her car would not start.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
Chris lived in Germany. He worked for a computer firm.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
John went to work early. He had a lot to do.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
6
The alarm clock kept ringing. They didn’t get up.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
7
We had a lot of Christmas shopping to do. We went to town.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
20
Writing pack 15
8
Joe and Ruth had a cup of tea in the café at the airport. They were
waiting for their son.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
9
Arun was on the phone. The gas man came.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
10 The party was a big success. At first, Liz thought that it would be a
disaster.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Now, check your answers. (See page 24.)
Sometimes it sounds better if you start the sentence with the part that
begins with one of the words in the box:
because
although
so
and
but
after
while
until
before
when
where
as
yet
if
since
unless
Look at your answers to the ten sentences above. Which ones could
you turn round in this way?
For example,
Because her husband was ill, Ann stayed at home.
Exercise 19
Write down the numbers of the sentences that would sound just as
good and make sense (six in all):

Now check your answers. (See pages 24 and 25.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
ac k s
21
Writing pack 15
You will see that when a sentence starts like this, that is, with a group of
words with one of the words in the box at the beginning, then there is a
comma after it. Underline or highlight the comma in the example above.
Write out the six sentences, putting the comma in the right place.

.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Check your answers.
Exercise 20
Now, try joining three sentences together:

1
Brian and Chris really enjoyed themselves. They decided to go again.
This time it was terrible!
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
The party was a big success. Everyone had a really good time. At first,
Liz thought that it would be a disaster.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
22
Writing pack 15
3
Cath and Gale were working hard. They had to get the job done quickly.
The pressure was on!
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
It was dark. I ran home quickly. I was scared.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
Daniel was pleased. Everton had won the match. They had had a player
sent off.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Now check your answers. (See page 25.)
Check your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work on
next
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
23
Writing pack 15
Answers
Exercise 17
The kids were really upset. Sox, our cat, caught a mouse. He killed it. He left it in
the back yard. I put it in a plastic bag. I threw it in the bin.
There are six sentences here.
The kids were really upset because Sox, our cat, caught a mouse. He killed it and
left it in the back yard so I put it in a plastic bag and threw it in the bin.
There are two sentences in the second version.
The three new words are:
1 because
2 so
3 and
Exercise 18. Suggested answers.
2
Hannah and Phil went to the pub after they had been to see Phil’s mum in
hospital.
3
Neeru rang the RAC because her car would not start.
4
Chris lived in Germany where he worked for a computer firm.
5
John went to work early because he had a lot to do.
6
The alarm clock kept ringing but they didn’t get up.
7
We had a lot of Christmas shopping to do so we went to town.
8
Joe and Ruth had a cup of tea in the café at the airport while they were waiting
for their son.
9
Arun was on the phone when the gas man came.
10 The party was a big success although at first, Liz thought that it would be a
disaster.
Exercise 19
2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10.
2
After they had been to see Phil’s mum in hospital, Hannah and Phil went to the
pub.
3
Because her car would not start, Neeru rang the RAC.
4
Because he had a lot to do, John went to work early.
8
While they were waiting for their son, Joe and Ruth had a cup of tea in the café
at the airport.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
24
Writing pack 15
9
When the gas man came, Arun was on the phone.
10 Although at first, Liz thought that it would be a disaster, the party was a big
success.
Exercise 20
1
Brian and Chris really enjoyed themselves so they decided to go again but this
time it was terrible!
2
The party was a big success and everyone had a really good time although at
first, Liz thought that it would be a disaster.
3
Cath and Gale were working hard because they had to get the job done quickly so
the pressure was on!
4
It was dark so I ran home quickly because I was scared.
5
Daniel was pleased because Everton had won the match although they had had a
player sent off.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
25
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Joining Sentences Together: 2
Relative Pronouns
Before you start this, make sure you know what a sentence is.
Exercise 21
Read the passage below.
Last week I went to see my friend Maggie. She lives in Norris Green.
She has a huge dog called Tyson. She got him from the Animal Rescue.
Underline where the full stops and capital letters are. How many
sentences are there? There are ______ sentences.
This passage could be written like this:
Last week I went to see my friend Maggie, who lives in Norris Green. She
has a huge dog called Tyson, which she got from the Animal Rescue.
Underline where the full stops and capital letters are.
How many sentences are there now? There are ______ sentences
Now underline the words in the first passage that have changed and
say which words they have changed to in the second passage. Write
them down:

1 …………………..……….. has changed to …………………..………. .
2 …………………..………. has changed to …………………..………. .
Check your work. (See page 32)
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
26
Writing pack 15
You can join two sentences together like this when they both tell you
something about the same person or thing. These are the joining words:
who
which
whom
that
whose
Sometimes these words do other jobs as well but here they join sentences
together. When they do this, they are called relative pronouns because
they relate one person or thing to something to do with them.
Look at the second passage again. You will see there are two commas that
weren’t in the first one. You can find out how to use commas in a sentence
like this is in the ‘Adding Extra Information’ worksheet.
Exercise 22
Now look at the following sentences. Join them together by
changing one word and replacing it with one of the words in the box
(a relative pronoun).
1

When Charlotte was in France, she visited the grave of her great uncle
Charlie. He was killed in the Battle of the Somme.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
................................................ has
2
changed to
...............................................................................................
Joe went to the DIY shop to buy an electric hedge trimmer. It was quite
a good buy because they had a sale on.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
has changed to
...............................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
27
Writing pack 15
3
Liverpool F.C. play at Anfield. It is across the park from Everton’s
ground, Goodison Park.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
4
has changed to
...............................................................................................
The Albert Dock is named after Prince Albert. He was Queen Victoria’s
husband.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
5
has changed to
...............................................................................................
Liverpool is linked to the Wirral by two road tunnels and a rail tunnel.
They run under the River Mersey.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
6
has changed to
...............................................................................................
In Liverpool there are two cathedrals. They stand at each end of Hope
Street.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
7
has changed to
...............................................................................................
On Bank Holiday Monday, Roy went to the market to sell the plants. He
had grown them himself.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
has changed to
...............................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
28
Writing pack 15
8
Sheila went on holiday with her friend Denise. Denise really needed a
break.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
9
has changed to
...............................................................................................
Celia sent Pat some tea bags. They weren’t available in America.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
has changed to
...............................................................................................
10 John needed to use the computer to write up his essay. It had to be
handed in the next day.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
...............................................................................................
Check your work. (See page 32.)
Sometimes the part of the sentence that starts with who, that, which,
whom or whose goes at the end of the first sentence:
Bill Gates owns the Microsoft Company. It makes the Windows program.
Bill Gates owns the Microsoft Company, which makes the Windows program.
Sometimes the part of the sentence that starts with who, that, which,
whom or whose can come nearer the beginning to make the meaning clear:
In 2000, Sydney hosted the Olympic Games. Sydney is in Australia.
In 2000, Sydney, which is in Australia, hosted the Olympic Games.
The part of the sentence that starts with which is in the middle of the first
one and has a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end.
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

has changed to
ac k s
29
Writing pack 15
Exercise 23
Join these sentences together:
1

The car has broken down. I bought it only last week.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
2
has changed to
...............................................................................................
Ann asked Ted to fix her computer. He knew a lot about them.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
3
has changed to
...............................................................................................
The new next door neighbours have just moved in. They come from
Manchester.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
4
has changed to
...............................................................................................
Jack went to the hospital. He had an appointment with the specialist.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
5
has changed to
...............................................................................................
My friend Paula lives in West Derby. Her mum grew up with my mum.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................
...............................................................................................
Check your work. (See page 33.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

has changed to
ac k s
30
Writing pack 15
Exercise 24
Now try joining sentences together in this passage, using the words
in the box above.
Ann bought a computer. It was faulty from the start. She asked Ted
to fix it. He knew a lot about computers. He had a look at the mouse.
It was all right. Then he looked at the hard drive. This was also OK.
Next, he looked at the floppy disk. It wasn’t broken or damaged. The
printer was working. She had got it from a friend. Ted looked at the
plug. The fuse had blown! He soon fixed that. Ann thanked him very
much.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Underline the new words.
Look at Writing In Sentences: Adding Extra Information for more practice
with relative pronouns.
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
31
Writing pack 15
Answers
Exercise 21
There are four sentences in the first passage.
There are two sentences in the second version of the passage.
1
she has changed to who
2
him has changed to which
Exercise 22
1
When Charlotte was in France, she visited the grave of her great uncle Charlie,
who was killed in the Battle of the Somme.
He has changed to who
2
Joe went to the DIY shop to buy an electric hedge trimmer, which was quite a
good buy because they had a sale on.
It has changed to which
3
Liverpool F.C. play at Anfield, which is just across the park from Everton’s
ground, Goodison Park.
It has changed to which
4
The Albert Dock is named after Prince Albert, who was Queen Victoria’s
husband.
He has changed to who
5
Liverpool is linked to the Wirral by two road tunnels and a rail tunnel, which run
under the River Mersey.
They has changed to which
6
In Liverpool there are two cathedrals, which stand at each end of Hope Street.
They has changed to which
7
On Bank Holiday Monday, Roy went to the market to sell some plants, which he
had grown himself.
them has changed to which
8
Sheila went on holiday with her friend Denise,who really needed a break.
Denise has changed to who
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
32
Writing pack 15
9
Celia sent Pat some tea bags, which weren’t available in America.
They has changed to which
10 John needed the computer to write up his essay, which had to be handed in the
next day.
It has changed to which
Exercise 23
1
The car that I bought last week has broken down.
it has changed to that
2
Ann asked Ted, who knew a lot about them, to fix her computer.
He has changed to who
3
The new next-door neighbours, who come from Manchester, have just moved in.
They has changed to who
4
Jack, who had an appointment with the specialist, went to the hospital.
He has changed to who
5
My friend Paula, whose mum grew up with my mum, lives in West Derby.
her has changed to whose
Exercise 24
Suggested answer.
Ann bought a computer that was faulty from the start. She asked Ted, who
knew a lot about computers, to fix it. He had a look at the mouse, which was
all right. Then he looked at the hard drive, which was also OK. Next, he
looked at the floppy disk, which wasn’t broken or damaged. The printer,
which she had got from a friend, was working. Ted looked at the plug whose
fuse had blown, which he soon fixed! Ann thanked him very much.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
33
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Joining Sentences Together: 3
Using Commas
Before you start, do the ‘Commas In A List’ sheet and make sure you
know what a sentence is. See the ‘Full Stops And Sentences’ sheet.
Exercise 25
Read the passage below:
I went to town. I met my friend Andy. We went for a drink. He has just
got a new job. He has bought a car. He is thinking of getting married.
Underline where the full stops and capital letters are.

How many sentences are there? There are _____ sentences.
This passage could be written like this:
I went to town, met my friend Andy and we went for a drink. He has just
got a new job, has bought a car and is thinking of getting married.
Underline where the full stops and capital letters are.
How many sentences are there now? There are _______ sentences.
The three parts in these sentences are like a list. You can put three or more
things together, using a comma between each item until you come to the last
two items. Then you put and or another ‘joining word’ (conjunction) between
them.
Underline the commas and conjunctions in these sentences:

1
2
3
Errol raced down the pitch, swerved round a defender and scored a
magnificent goal.
Sue drove to the supermarket, did all her shopping, got to her car and
found she’d left the keys inside.
The rain poured down, the thunder roared and lightning lit up the sky.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
34
Writing pack 15
Exercise 26
Join these sentences together by making them into a list:

Weigh all the ingredients. Put them in a mixing bowl. Stir them together with
the milk. Put the mixture in a greased baking tin.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Can you switch on the computer? Can you find “Word”? Can you start a new
document? Can you save it?
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
To get to the pub in the village, go to the end of our road. Then turn left till
you get to the Post Office. Cross the road by St Mary’s church. The pub is
next door.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Now write a sentence for each of the following, using three or more
ideas in each:
1

Explain how to get to the bus stop from where you live.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
Say what your three (or more) favourite TV programmes are.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
35
Writing pack 15
3
Give three (or more) reasons for going on holiday.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Check your answers. (See page 36.)
Check your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work on
next.
Answers
Exercise 25
There are six sentences in the first passage.
There are two sentences in the second version of the passage.
1
Errol raced down the pitch, swerved round a defender and scored a magnificent
goal.
2
Sue drove to the supermarket, did all her shopping, got to her car and found she’d
left the keys inside.
3
The rain poured, the thunder roared and lightning lit up the sky.
Exercise 26
Weigh all the ingredients, put them in a mixing bowl, stir them together with the milk
and put the mixture in a greased baking tin.
Can you switch on the computer, find “Word”, start a new document and save it?
To get to the pub in the village, go to the end of our road, then turn left till you get
to the Post Office, cross the road by St Mary’s church and the pub is next door.
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
36
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Using Commas In A List
Look at these sentences:
A full English breakfast is fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage, tea
and toast.
Do you think that Liverpool, Everton, Leeds, Arsenal or Manchester
United will win the Championship?
They invited their cousins, Aunty Mary, Uncle Billy, the Murphys, the
next-door neighbours and Freddy to the party.
Put a circle round the commas. Think about why commas are used.
A comma is used to separate things in a list. When you write a list
you put a comma after each item in the list. When you get to the last
two items, put ‘and’ or ‘or’ between them instead of the comma.
Exercise 27 Re-write the following sentences, putting in the commas.
For example: I bought a jumper a dress and a coat in the sales.
I bought a jumper, a dress and a coat in the sales.
1

Put the flour fat salt currants and milk into the bowl.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
37
Writing pack 15
2
The colours of the rainbow are red orange yellow green blue indigo and
violet.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
Which TV programme do you like best: Coronation Street Eastenders or
Emmerdale?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
Football squash badminton and swimming are popular sports.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5. On my travels I have visited Paris Rome Amsterdam Athens and London.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Now check your answers. (See page 42.)
Exercise 28 Fill in the gaps in these sentences with a suitable word.
For example: Could you look after the dog, the cat and the goldfish
while I’m away please?

1
You can put grapes, .................................. ,
bananas in a fruit salad.
2
Do you drink tea or
3.
Are you off on
week?
4
The M62 motorway runs from Liverpool to Hull and passes Warrington,
Manchester, .................................................... and ............................................. on the way.
5
The MOT test checks the brakes, the lights,
the bodywork on a car.
.....................................
, raspberries and
................................ ?
............................................. .,
Thursday or
.................................................
................................................
this
and
Now ask a tutor to check your answers.
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
38
Writing pack 15
Write three sentences of your own, listing items from the examples
below and putting the commas in the right place.
Things to buy for a holiday

I need to buy
..............................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Your favourite songs
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Four people you respect or admire ............................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Read your sentences again. Are you happy with them? Get a tutor
to check them.
Read the following sentences:
You can study German for beginners, French for holidaymakers and
Italian for business people at Crosby Adult Centre.
Newspapers are delivered to Sandringham Road, Grove Street, Marle
Close and Cambridge Road.
The old lady collects abandoned cats, china teapots, antique furniture,
woolly jumpers and junk jewellery.
The commas have been used to separate the items in the lists. This time,
though, there is more than one word in each item.
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
39
Writing pack 15
Exercise 29
Underline each separate item in the following sentences:
For example: During his interview, Mr Watson crossed his legs,
scratched his head, fidgeted in his chair and cleared his throat.

1. He walked to the end of the road, glanced to his right, looked at his
watch and turned to the left.
2. The yard had turned into an ugly mess of tyres, rusting cars, empty
oilcans and broken glass.
3. My duties included answering the telephone, filing records, word
processing and interviewing new clients.
4. We recommend that you contact the Benefit Agency, the Citizen’s Advice
Bureau and the local Job Centre.

Check your answers. (See page 42.)
Fill in the gaps in these sentences. Remember, you can use more
than one word.
For example: She let the cat out, . . . . .
,switched off the lights and went to bed.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
She let the cat out, turned off the TV, switched off
the lights and went to bed.

1
The bouquet contained bright yellow daffodils,
...........................................................
................................................................
and blood red roses.
2
To get to the bank turn left, ..............................................................................................................
and take the third road on the right.
3
If I win the lottery I will buy a new car,
and put the rest of it in the bank.
4
The weather looked bad: , ......................................................................................................... , the
wind raged and the sky looked stormy.
.................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
40
Writing pack 15
5

She ............................................................................................................... , stamped on his toe and
poured her drink over his head.
Now ask a tutor to check your answers.
Exercise 30
Rewrite the sentences below, putting commas in the right places:
1. Comet sells televisions B&Q sells paint and wallpaper and MFI sells furniture.

2
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
The hotel offers twin bedrooms bathrooms en suite tea and coffee
making facilities and balconies overlooking the sea.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
She pulled the covers over her head jammed her fingers in her ears and
hoped it would all go away.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
Before moving off take off the handbrake check your mirror and glance
over your left shoulder.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
For my New Year’s Resolution I can’t decide whether to cut down on fats
give up smoking take up more exercise or drink less beer.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Now check your answers. (See page 42.)
For extra practice, look at the ‘Joining Sentences 3’ sheet.
Check your work with a tutor and decide what you need to do
next.
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
41
Writing pack 15
Answers
Exercise 27
1.
Put the flour, fat, salt, currants and milk into the bowl.
2. The colours of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
3. Which TV programme do you like best: Coronation Street, Eastenders or
Emmerdale?
4. Football, squash, badminton and swimming are popular sports.
5. On my travels I have visited Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Athens and London.
Exericise 29
1.
He walked to the end of the road, glanced to his right, looked at his watch and
turned to the left.
2. The yard had turned into an ugly mess of tyres, rusting cars, empty oilcans and
broken glass.
3. My duties included answering the telephone, filing records, word processing and
interviewing new clients.
4. We recommend that you contact the Benefit Agency, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau
and the local Job Centre.
Exercise 30
1.
Comet sells televisions, B&Q sells paint and wallpaper and MFI sells furniture.
2
The hotel offers twin bedrooms, bathrooms en suite, tea and coffee making
facilities and balconies overlooking the sea.
3
She pulled the covers over her head, jammed her fingers in her ears and hoped
it would all go away.
4
Before moving off take off the handbrake, check your mirror and glance over
your left shoulder.
5
For my New Year’s Resolution I can’t decide whether to cut down on fats, give up
smoking, take up more exercise or drink less beer.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
42
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Writing In Sentences: Adding Extra
Information
Before you start, make sure you know what a sentence is. See the
‘Full Stops And Sentences’ sheet.
Read the passage below:
It was late. John still hadn’t come home. Where was he? He hadn’t
phoned. Suddenly, I heard a key in the lock. Was that him now?
These sentences are short and dramatic and include two questions to build
up the suspense. Long sentences here would spoil the effect.
Sometimes, though, you can put your reader in the picture by adding extra
information. You can vary the length of the sentences so your writing is
more lively and interesting. Read the rest of the passage:
Indeed it was. John explained where he’d been. He called in to the off
licence, which was on his way home. There were lots of people, a really
big queue, and he had to wait. Nicky, the manager, was just serving him
when two men ran in. Wearing balaclavas and brandishing baseball
bats, they threatened the customers and demanded the money in the till.
The two men behind John, who looked like bouncers, quickly took charge
of the situation. Showing no fear, they disarmed the robbers, telling
them they were police officers. The plain-clothes policemen, Tom and
Bob, who were from the local police station, told John there had been
a spate of robberies and they were determined to catch the culprits.
The parts of the passage in bold add extra information. The passage makes
sense without them – but it’s more interesting with them in.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
43
Writing pack 15
Where to put commas
If the part of a sentence which adds extra information (in bold in the
passage) starts the sentence, then there is a comma after it. For example,
‘Swearing and shouting, they threatened the customers…’
There is another sentence which starts with extra information in the passage.
Exercise 31 Write it out below and underline or highlight the comma:

..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
If the part of the sentence, adding extra information is in the middle, then
there are two commas, one on either side of it. For example, ‘The two men
behind John, who looked like bouncers, quickly took charge…’
Find another example in the passage. Write it out here:
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
If the part of the sentence which adds extra information is at the end,
then there is a comma in front of it. For example, ‘He called in to the off
licence, which was on the way home.’
Find another example in the story. Write it out here:
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Check your work with a tutor or see answers on page 49.
The next three sections of this worksheet give you practice with three
different ways of adding extra information.
1. Groups of words that start with
who
which
whom
whose
As you can see from the examples in the passage, a group of words that
starts with one of the words in the box above is separated from the rest of
the sentence by a comma or a pair of commas:
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
44
Writing pack 15
For example, “He called into the off licence, which was on his way
home.”

There is another example in the passage of a group of words which starts
with one of the words in the box. Write it out here, underlining the commas:
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Exercise 32
Underline or highlight the parts of these sentences that add extra
information. Then write out them out, putting the commas in the
right place:

1
Nicky who looked very frightened was very brave.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
A woman in a car outside phoned the police who soon came.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
All the customers made statements which took quite a long time.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
Tom and Bob arrested the two robbers and took them to their unmarked
car which was parked round a corner.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
One of the customers whose daughter lives nearby had fainted with
shock.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Look at “Joining Sentences Together 2” for more practice with these.
Check your answers. (See page 49.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
45
Writing pack 15
2 Groups of words that state an important fact about someone
(or something) that you have just named .
For example: ’There were lots of people, a really big queue, . . .‘.
Here there are two different ways of saying the same thing: there
were a lot of people in the shop.
There is another example in the passage. Write it out below,
underlining the commas.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Exercise 33
Underline or highlight the parts of these sentences that add extra
information in this way. Then write them out, putting the commas in
the right place.

1. John said the two plain-clothes officers Tom and Bob should be
recommended for a bravery award.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2. Mrs Murphy the woman in the car outside acted promptly.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3. When the back up arrived four officers in two cars the robbers were
already under arrest.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
46
Writing pack 15
4. One of the uniformed officers a friend of John’s from his school days
started to take statements.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5. Nicky opened some bottles of drinks mineral water and orange juice and
handed them round to everyone.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Check your answers. (See page 49.)
3. Groups of words which add descriptive information.
For example, “Wearing balaclavas and brandishing baseball bats,
they threatened the customers…”
This tells us important descriptive detail about the robbers but the
sentence would still make sense without it.
There is another example in the passage. Write it below, underlining
or highlighting the extra information.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Exercise 34 Underline or highlight the parts of these sentences that
add extra information. Then write them out, putting the commas in
the right place.
1
Trembling with fear the old lady collapsed in a heap.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
The robbers handcuffed and silent slunk off to the waiting car.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
47
Writing pack 15
3
John took a gulp of orange juice relieved that the whole thing was over.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
John said he would have to be a witness in court a prospect that made
him feel quite nervous.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
Tired but quite excited by the ordeal John went to bed.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Check your answers. (See page 50.)
Exercise 35 Extra practice
Now try adding extra information to these sentences, making sure you put
the commas in the right places where they are needed. See if you can use
at least one example from each of the three above you have just practised.

1
One of the uniformed officers took the old lady home.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2. Mobile phones are useful.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3. Is violent crime on the increase?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
The robbers were convicted of five other offences.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
They received prison sentences.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Check your answers with a tutor.
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
48
Writing pack 15
Answers
Exercise 31
“Showing no fear, they disarmed the robbers…”
“There were lots of people, a really big queue, and he had to wait.”
“Showing no fear, they disarmed the robbers, telling them they were police
officers.”
Exercise 32
1
Nicky, who looked very frightened, was very brave.
2
A woman in a car outside phoned the police, who soon came.
3
All the customers made statements, which took quite a long time.
4
Tom and Bob arrested the two robbers and took them to their unmarked car,
which was parked round a corner.
5
One of the customers, whose daughter lives nearby, had fainted with shock.
Exercise 33
1
John said the two plain-clothes officers, Tom and Bob, should be recommended
for a bravery award.
2
Mrs Murphy, the woman in the car outside, acted promptly.
3
When the back up arrived, four officers in two cars, the robbers were already
under arrest.
4
One of the uniformed officers, a friend of John’s from his school days,
started to take statements.
5
Nicky opened some bottles of drinks, mineral water and orange juice, and
handed them round to everyone.
Exercise 34
1
Trembling with fear, the old lady collapsed in a heap.
2
The robbers, handcuffed and silent, slunk off to the waiting car.
3
John took a gulp of orange juice, relieved that the whole thing was over.
4
John said he would have to be a witness in court, a prospect that made him
feel quite nervous.
5
Tired but quite excited by his ordeal, John went to bed.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
49
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Direct Speech And Speech Marks
Read the following piece of writing:
“Hello - Kelly residence!”
“Hello – John?”
“Hi Duffy. Got your message.”
“Friday night in the ‘Miller’ O.K?”
“O.K., Duff. See you there!”
“Cheers, mate. Tara.”
“Tara.”
This is what a conversation looks like when it is written down: the actual
words spoken by the two people talking to each other. When speech is
written down like this, it is called Direct Speech.
We use speech marks to show where direct speech starts and stops.
Exercise 36
Highlight or underline the speech marks in the conversation above.
Check your answers. (See page 54.)
Direct Speech always





is word for word what was actually said
has a new line for each new speaker
might not be in complete sentences
has a capital letter for the first letter of the first word
has two pairs of speech marks
- one pair before the first word spoken
- one pair after the last word spoken and any other
punctuation mark.
This is to help the reader keep track of who is speaking.
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
50
Writing pack 15
When you write down what people are saying to each other, you could add
more detail, like this:
John picked the phone up.
“Hello - Kelly residence!” he announced.
“Hello – John?” It was Lee, who knew John sounded like his dad on the
phone.
“Hi Duffy. Got your message.” Lee regularly left hilarious messages on
the answering machine, so funny they were played over and over again.
This latest effort was a classic.
“Friday night in the ‘Miller’ O.K?” This was the usual rendezvous.
“O.K., Duff. See you there!” John made a mental note to pay him the
fiver he owed him. Lee wouldn’t ask for it. He’d probably even
forgotten.
“Cheers, mate. Tara.”
“Tara.” John put the phone down, listened to the message once more,
laughed and deleted it.
Exercise 37 Underline the words in direct speech (the spoken
words) in this version of the conversation above.

Check your answers. (See page 54.)
Exercise 38 Read the following piece of writing and underline the
words in direct speech:
When John got to the ‘Miller’, the others were deep in conversation.
“John, we’ve got injury problems,” Chris, the manager of their football
team, told him.
“Who’s out, Chris?” Lee handed John a pint. John handed him the
fiver.
“Cheers, John,” said Lee.
“Well, Tom’s had to drop out because he’s got to work tomorrow. Phil’s
got flu. And Andy’s not got over the knock he got last week,” Chris
explained.
Check your answers. (See page 55.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
51
Writing pack 15
Exercise 39
Read on and put in any missing speech marks:

“That leaves us with a weak midfield, said John thoughtfully. Should I
go into centre midfield and try that new lad up front?
Chris considered this suggestion. “Billy Simpson – what does everyone
else think? Andy pulled a face, wondering if he’d get his place back.
You could sub him in the second half, Chris, Lee suggested.
They agreed, though they knew it was a risk. They hadn’t much
choice.
Using commas with speech marks.
Check your answers for the last exercise. (See page 55.) Look at
where the commas go:
“That leaves us with a weak midfield,” said John.
The comma (not a full stop) goes after the last word spoken and before the
final speech marks. Underline or highlight it in this example.
This could be written like this:
John said, “That leaves us with a weak midfield.”
The comma goes before the first speech marks. Underline or highlight it in
this example.
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
52
Writing pack 15
Exercise 40 Put the commas and speech marks in the right place in
these sentences. Remember to go on to a new line when a new
person speaks.

At half time they were a goal down. Chris said John can you go up front?
I’ll sub Billy and put Andy on. Andy might not get through the second half
John replied. I know. I’ll take the risk said Chris. OK then John agreed.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Check your answers (see page 55.)
Now try writing a short conversation using direct speech between
two people. It could be:




a telephone conversation to arrange a visit
strangers talking at a bus stop
football fans watching a match
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Read through the conversation. Are you happy with it? Have you
put the speech marks in the right place?
Get someone to check what you have written.
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next.
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
53
Writing pack 15
Answers
Exercise 36
“Hello - Kelly residence!”
“Hello – John?”
“Hi Duffy. Got your message.”
“Friday night in the ‘Miller’ O.K?”
“O.K., Duff. See you there!”
“Cheers, mate. Tara.”
“Tara.”
Exercise 37
John picked the phone up.
“Hello - Kelly residence!” he announced.
“Hello – John?” It was Lee, who knew John sounded like his dad on the phone.
“Hi Duffy. Got your message.” Lee left hilarious messages on the answering
machine, so funny they were played over and over again. This latest effort
was a classic.
“Friday night in the ‘Miller’ O.K?” This was the usual rendezvous.
“O.K., Duff. See you there!” John made a mental note to pay him the fiver he
owed him. Lee wouldn’t ask for it. He’d probably even forgotten.
“Cheers, mate. Tara.”
“Tara.” John put the phone down, listened to the message once more, laughed
and deleted it.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
54
Writing pack 15
Exercise 38
When John got to the ‘Miller’, the others were deep in conversation.
“John, we’ve got injury problems,” Chris, the manager of their football team,
told him.
“Who’s out, Chris?” Lee handed John a pint. John handed him the fiver.
“Cheers, John,” said Lee.
“Well, Tom’s had to drop out because he’s got to work tomorrow. Phil’s got
flu. And Andy’s not got over the knock he got last week,” Chris explained.
Exercise 39
“That leaves us with a weak midfield,” said John thoughtfully. “Should I go
into centre midfield and try that new lad up front?”
Chris considered this suggestion. “Billy Simpson – what does everyone else
think?” Andy pulled a face, wondering if he’d get his place back.
“You could sub him in the second half, Chris,” Lee suggested.
They agreed, though they knew it was a risk. They hadn’t much choice.
Exercise 40
At half time they were a goal down. Chris said, “John, can you go up front?
I’ll sub Billy and put Andy on.”
“Andy might not get through the second half,” John replied.
“I know. I’ll take the risk,” said Chris.
“OK then,” John agreed.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
55
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Joining sentences together:4
Semicolons ( ; )
A semicolon is a way of joining two sentences together. The sentences need
to be very closely related. Look at these two sentences:
Ian is a really pleasant person. He always has time for everyone.
This could also be written like this:
Ian is a really pleasant person; he always has time for everyone.
A semicolon joins the two sentences. This is because both sentences are to
do with the same subject – Ian. Now look at this sentence:
Frank goes to the pub every night; he mixes with low life; he spends
all his money on drink; he is completely dissipated.
This is a sentence with a message and emphasises Frank’s sorry state by
giving examples of his bad habits. It would be less dramatic (though
correct, of course) if it were written as a list joined by commas (which is
explained in Joining Sentences 3):
Frank goes to the pub every night, mixes with low life, spends all his
money on drink and is completely dissipated.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
56
Writing pack 15
Exercise 41 Read the following piece of writing. Decide which
sentences could be joined together with a semicolon. Write it out
again, putting in them in.
The wind howled down the chimney. The windows rattled. Winter had
come early. The clocks had not even gone back an hour yet. The
leaves swirled around the back yard. The milk bottles rolled to and
fro in the entry.
Inside, the fire threw a comforting glow. The cat stretched
gratefully. He loved the warmth. Maggie put down her book. She was
nearly asleep. It was time for an early night.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Check your answers. (See page 58.)
Now write a few sentences of your own (in the space overleaf), using
semicolons to join sentences together.
You could write about:



A person you know
The weather
A film you like
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
57
Writing pack 15

..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Read your sentences again. Are you happy with them?
Get someone to check them.
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next
Suggested Answer
Exercise 41
The wind howled down the chimney; the windows rattled. Winter had come
early; the clocks had not even gone back an hour yet. The leaves swirled
around the back yard; the milk bottles rolled to and fro in the entry.
Inside, the fire threw a comforting glow. The cat stretched gratefully; he
loved the warmth. Maggie put down her book; she was nearly asleep. It was
time for an early night.
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
58
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Colons (:)
Colons do two main jobs.
1. The colon tells you that a list will follow.
For example:
I stood at the bar, trying to remember the round: three pints of lager
for Rob, Jean and Billy, two vodka and tonics for Brenda and Gill and a
tomato juice for me.
Highlight or underline the colon.
Exercise 42 Read the following sentences and put colons in where
they introduce a list. Highlight or underline the colon.

1
Put a few herbs in the soup basil, oregano, parsley and coriander.
2
The manager had half his midfield out injured Terry, Andy and Phil.
3. There are some stunning mountains to climb in the Lake District
Fairfield, Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Dollywaggon Pike to name but four.
4. There are lots of buses that go to town from here the 12, the 13, the 18
and the 75.
5. We can’t agree where to go to on holiday Blackpool or Rhyl.

Check your answers. (See page 62.)
Exercise 43 Complete these sentences, using a colon and a list:

1
There are three films on at the ‘Showcase’
..........................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
59
Writing pack 15
2.
Which dress shall I wear for the party
..................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3.
I can’t remember which cat food Tiddles likes
.................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
I’ve got too much to do
............................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5.
Hannah decided to get some jobs done in the house
.....................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Check your answers with a tutor.
2 A colon tells you that what comes next explains something in
more detail.
For example:
I arrived just in time: the kettle had nearly boiled dry, the back door
was wide open, the toast was smouldering under the grill and Paddy
was fast asleep on the sofa.
Exercise 44 Read the following sentences and put colons in where
needed. Highlight or underline the colons.
1
Dave could do anything plastering, coving, joinery and plumbing he was
equally expert at.
2
It was a beautiful day the sky was blue, the sea was green and the picnic
looked delicious.
3
I had to make a choice join the Foreign Legion, marry Mary or sail round
the world.
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
60
Writing pack 15

4
Suddenly, Holmes knew who the murderer was all the clues pointed to one
man- Moriarty.
5
Things looked desperate for Everton Gonzalez had been sent off, Jones
was injured and a penalty had been given against them.
Check your answers. (See page 62.)
Complete these sentences, using a colon and more detail to explain
what has come before it:

1
Mandy felt a failure
...................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
Papering the bedroom was turning into a nightmare
......................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3.
Running a car is a very expensive business
.............................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
Harry was training for the Liverpool Marathon
.................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
The garden looked a picture
...............................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Read your sentences again. Are you happy with them?
Get someone to check them.
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next.
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
61
Writing pack 15
Answers
Exercise 42
1
Put a few herbs in the soup: basil, oregano, parsley and coriander.
2
The manager had half his midfield out injured: Terry, Andy and Phil.
3. There are some stunning mountains to climb in the Lake District: Fairfield,
Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Dollywaggon Pike to name but four.
4. There are lots of buses that go to town from here: the 12, the 13, the 18 and
the 75.
5. We can’t agree where to go to on holiday: Blackpool or Rhyl.
Exercise 44
1
Dave could do anything: plastering, coving, joinery and plumbing he was equally
expert at.
2
It was a beautiful day: the sky was blue, the sea was green and the picnic looked
delicious.
3
I had to make a choice: join the Foreign Legion, marry Mary or sail round the
world.
4
Suddenly, Holmes knew who the murderer was: all the clues pointed to one manMoriarty.
5
Things looked desperate for Everton: Gonzalez had been sent off, Jones was
injured and a penalty had been given against them.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
62
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Apostrophes (‘) For Shortening
Words (Omission)
There are two ways to use apostrophes which are:
1
2
To shorten words by missing letters out (omission),
To show someone or something owns something else (possession).
This worksheet will look at the apostrophe for shortening words by missing
letters out (omission).
Shortened words are usually used in letters to friends or conversation.
The apostrophe of omission shows that one or more letters have been missed
out.
e.g.
did not
didnot
didn’t
didn’t
they would
they’d
they woul d
they’d
Exercise 45
Have a go at giving the shortened versions of the words in brackets.
You will find the word you need in the box below.
couldn’t
she’ll
wouldn’t can’t
shouldn’t it’s
they’ll
I’ll
he’ll
I’m
don’t
here’s
there’s
didn’t
she’s
they’d
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
63
Writing pack 15

1
Cath (could not)
2
(I will) ................................................... see you tomorrow.
3
(She is)................................ going on holiday on Friday.
4
The car broke down because it (did not) ................................................... have petrol.
5
(Here is) ..................................................... the pen that you lost.
6
(They will) .......................................................... be here shortly.
7
(It is) ......................................................... unusual for him to be absent.
8
(There is) ..................................................... an unusual smell in here.
9
She said she (would not) .................................................. go there again.
...........................................................
go to work because she was sick.
10 I (do not) ............................................. know when I will be back again.

Check your answers. (See page 67.)
Exercise 46 Write the shortened version of the following words in
the box below. Don’t forget to use an apostrophe when you miss
letters out. The first one is done for you.
I have
I’ve
I am
You are
He is
They are
We are
Can not
Could not
Would not
They will
He will
There is
It is
Is not
Are not
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
64
Writing pack 15
Did not
They would
We will
He had
Where is
You have
They have
Here is
Does not
What is
Was not
She is

Check your answers. (See page 67.)
Exercise 47 Try writing the following sentences out again, writing
1
I am going to watch Eastenders tonight.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
Mohamed is not going on holiday this year.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
You cannot catch the number 27 bus here.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
My friend could not come to the party.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
You are very lucky.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
6
Michael was not very happy with his present.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

the shortened version of the underlined words.
ac k s
65
Writing pack 15
7
Where is my coat?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
8
They would really like to meet you.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
9
I have not got any money.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
10 It is time to get up.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Check your answers. (See page 68.)
Write 5 sentences of you own, using one of the following shortened
forms in each.
can’t
I’m
couldn’t
we’ll
he’s
here’s
don’t
she’s
you’re
wouldn’t
didn’t
isn’t
there’s
it’s
I’ll
they’ll
here’s
wasn’t
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next.
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
66
Writing pack 15
Suggested Answers
Exercise 45
1
Cath (could not) couldn’t go to work because she was sick.
2
(I will) I’ll see you tomorrow.
3
(She is) She’s going on holiday on Friday.
4
The car broke down because it (did not) didn’t have petrol.
5
(Here is) Here’s the pen that you lost.
6
(They will) They’ll be here shortly.
7
(It is)
8
(There is) There’s an unusual smell in here.
9
She said she (would not) wouldn’t go there again.
10
I (do not) don’t know when I will be back again.
It’s unusual for him to be absent.
Exercise 46
I have
I’ve
I am
I’m
You are
You’re
He is
He’s
They are
They’re
We are
We’re
Cannot
Can’t
Could not
Couldn’t
Would not
Wouldn’t
They will
They’ll
He will
He’ll
There is
There’s
It is
It’s
Is not
Isn’t
Are not
Aren’t
Did not
Didn’t
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
67
Writing pack 15
They would
They’d
We will
We’ll
He had
He’d
Where is
Where’s
You have
You’ve
They have
They’ve
Here is
Here’s
Does not
Doesn’t
What is
What’s
Was not
Wasn’t
She is
She’s
Exercise 47
1
I’m going to watch Eastenders tonight.
2
Mohamed isn’t going on holiday this year.
3
You can’t catch the number 27 bus here.
4
My friend could n’t come to the party.
5
You’re very lucky.
6
Michael wasn’t very happy with his present.
7
Where’s my coat.
8
They’d really like to meet you.
9
I haven’t got any money.
10 It’s time to get up.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
68
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Apostrophes (‘) For Ownership
(Possession)
There are two ways to use apostrophes which are:
1
2
To show someone or something owns something else (possession)
To shorten words by missing letters out (omission)
This worksheet will look at the apostrophe for ownership (possession).
The apostrophe of possession shows that someone or something owns
something else. The owner can be a person or an object (a noun).
For one owner
The apostrophe (‘) comes after the name of the person or object and is
followed by an s.
The thing that is owned or belongs is always the word straight after the
word with the apostrophe in it.
e.g.
Joe’s cat has gone to the vet.
(Joe is the owner. The cat is what he owns.)
The bike’s wheel is broken.
(The bike is the owner. The wheel is what belongs.)
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
69
Writing pack 15
Exercise 48 Have a go at writing the owner and what they own
from each of the sentences below. The first one is done for you.

Sentence
Owner
Thing that belongs
or is owned
1
Susan’s car broke down last night.
Susan
car
2.
Kath’s birthday is on the 6th.
3.
Mr Black’s house was burnt down.
4.
The boy’s leg was broken.
5.
The chair’s leg is broken.
6.
The computer’s screen is dirty.
7.
The footballer’s shirt was blue.
8.
Ian’s coat is on the chair.
9.
Kerry held the dog’s lead.
10. The man’s hair is black.

Check your answers. (See page 74.)
Exercise 49 Try writing the following sentences out again, adding
1
Johns dog is three years old.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
2
Adams birthday is on Tuesday.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
3
Mr Nicholsons phone is lost.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
4
The girls computer was broken.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
5
The computers desk is too high.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
6
The golfers jumper was red.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

apostrophes where they should be.
ac k s
70
Writing pack 15
7
Bryans house is in Southgate Road.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
8
Have you seen Paulas baby?
...................................................................................................................................................................................
9
The cars tyres are worn.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
10 Rebeccas house is up the lane.
...................................................................................................................................................................................

Check your answers. (See page 74.)
For more than one owner
If there is more than one owner, the owner word will already have an s at
the end. The word already has an s at the end because it is plural (a word
that relates to more than one of something).
In this case the apostrophe goes after the s at the end of the word.
e.g.
The buses’ windows were broken.
(The buses are the owners. The windows belongs to them.)
Exercise 50 Have a go at writing the owners and what they own
from each of the phrases below. The first one is done for you.
Owners
Thing(s) that belong(s)
or is/are owned
1
The two books’ covers
books
covers
2
The Hikers’ Association
3
Ten employees’ records
4.
Both my aunties’ husbands
5.
All of the windows’ blinds
6.
Several countries’ flags
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

Sentence
ac k s
71
Writing pack 15
7.
The two houses’ chimneys
8.
My three files’ clips
9.
The chimpanzees’ tea party
10. The trains’ whistles

Check your answers. (See page 75.)
Exercise 51
Try writing the following sentences out again, adding apostrophes
where they should be.

1
The students bus passes are ready.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
2
There are eight babies cots in the room.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
3
Both of my cousins children have brown eyes.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
4
The butterflies wings were beautiful.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
5
All of the greengrocers shops in Liverpool are closed.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
6
The walkers hats were all the same colour.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
7
My friends mothers have all got jobs.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
8
The birds nests were all in different trees.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
9
All of the books covers are leather.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
ac k s
72
Writing pack 15
10 The computers hard drives are full.
...................................................................................................................................................................................

Check your answers. (See page 75.)
Note: A few plurals (words that relate to more than one of something)
don’t end in s.
e.g.
men
women
children
people
sheep
When you use these words the apostrophe(‘) comes before the s.
e.g.
The men’s toilet is along the corridor.
Exercise 52
Try writing the following sentences out again, adding apostrophes
where they should be.

1
The mens cloakroom is along the corridor.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
The womens group meet once a week.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
The childrens playground is in the park.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4
The peoples leader was elected today.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5
The sheeps noses were wet.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Check your answers. (See page 76.)
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next.
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
73
Writing pack 15
Suggested Answers
Exercise 48
Sentence
Owner
Thing that belongs
or is owned
1. Susan’s car broke down last night.
Susan
car
2. Kath’s birthday is on the 6th.
Kath
birthday
3. Mr Black’s house was burnt down.
Mr Black
house
4. The boy’s leg was broken.
boy
leg
5. The chair’s leg is broken.
chair
leg
6. The computer’s screen is dirty.
computer
screen
7. The footballer’s shirt was blue.
footballer
shirt
8. Ian’s coat is on the chair.
Ian
coat
9. Kerry held the dog’s lead.
dog
lead
10. The man’s hair is black.
man
hair
Exercise 49
1
John’s dog is three years old.
2
Adam’s birthday is on Tuesday.
3
Mr Nicholson’s phone is lost.
4
The girl’s computer was broken
5
The computer’s desk is too high.
6
The golfer’s jumper was red.
7
Bryan’s house is in Southgate Road.
8
Have you seen Paula’s baby?
9
The car’s tyres are worn.
10 Rebecca’s house is up the lane.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
74
Writing pack 15
Exercise 50
Sentence
Owners
Thing(s) that belong(s)
or is/are owned
1. The two books’ covers
books
covers
2. The Hikers’ Association
Hikers
Association
3. Ten employees’ records
employees
records
4. Both my aunties’ husbands
aunties
husbands
5. All of the windows’ blinds
windows
blinds
6. Several countries’ flags
countries
flags
7. The two houses’ chimneys
houses
chimneys
8. My three files’ clips
files
clips
9. The chimpanzees’ tea party
chimpanzees
tea party
10. The trains’ whistles
trains
whistles
Exercise 51
1
The students’ bus passes are ready
2
There are eight babies’ cots in the room.
3
Both of my cousins’ children have brown eyes.
4
The butterflies’ wings were beautiful.
5
All of the greengrocers’ shops in Liverpool are closed.
6
The walkers’ hats were all the same colour.
7
My friends’ mothers have all got jobs.
8
The birds’ nests were all in different trees.
9
All of the books’ covers are leather.
10 The computers’ hard drives are all full.
Exercise 52
1
The men’s cloakroom is along the corridor.
2
The women’s group meet once a week.
3
The children’s playground is in the park.
4
The people’s leader was elected again
5
The sheep’s noses were wet.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
75
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Exclamation Marks (!)
Read the following sentences. You will notice that some of them end
with an exclamation mark.
You’re never 40!
It’s a nice day.
Clean your teeth after each meal.
Get back!
What a lovely day!
Help!
This is because a sentence, word or group of words which contains a
threat, a command or where surprise or strong feeling is expressed
ends with an exclamation mark.
An exclamation mark is also used when the word what or how begins a
sentence that is not a question. Eg. How nice to see you! or What a
lovely surprise!
Remember: Only use an exclamation mark after an exclamation. An
exclamation mark is used instead of a full stop and is followed by a
capital letter.
Exercise 53 Have a go at putting exclamation marks at the end of
the following sentences or groups of words, where appropriate. (7
need exclamation marks.)
1
Good heavens
2
How brave of you
3
I wish I could have my life over again
4
Go away
5
I will never touch a cigarette again
6
You dare
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

ac k s
76
Writing pack 15
7
How are you
8
Never again
9
What a great time we had
10 Don’t do that

Check your answers. (See below.)
Now have a go of writing three sentences of your own that would
need exclamation marks.

1
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Check your answers then discuss with your tutor what you need to
work on next.
Suggested Answers
Exercise 53
1
Good heavens!
2
How brave of you!
3
I wish I could have my life over again.
4
Go away!
5
I’ll never touch a cigarette again.
6
You dare!
7
How are you?
8
Never again!
9
What a great time we had!
10 Don’t do that!
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
77
Writing pack 15
PUNCTUATION
Question Marks (?)
Read the following sentences. You will notice that some of them end with a
question mark.
Are you 40?
Yes, I am.
Can I come with you?
Yes, you can.
What time will you be home?
I will be home at ten.
This is because a sentence that asks a question must have a question mark at
the end. The question mark at the end of the sentence is instead of a full stop.
As you can see above, a question usually asks for an answer.
Remember: Only use a question mark after a question. A question mark
is used instead of a full stop and is followed by a capital letter.
Exercise 54
1
Can I have a go on your motorbike
2
How brave of you
3
I wish I could have my life over again
4
Did you go to town this week
5
I will never touch a cigarette again
6
Have you got any children
7
How are you
8
What time is it
9
When is the shop opening
10 What was the name of the actor
Check your answers. (See page 80.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
continued
f lex i p

Have a go at putting question marks or full stops at the end of the
following sentences where appropriate. (7 need question marks.)
ac k s
78
Writing pack 15
Note: There are some sentences you need to be careful with because they
sound like question but are not.
e.g.
Chris asked would they like to go out.
This is not a question; it is a statement. It tells you what Chris said; it
doesn’t ask a question. The question Chris asked would be:
Would you like to go out?
Exercise 55 Have a go at putting question marks or full stops at the

end of the following sentences where appropriate. Don’t forget some
statements can sound like questions. (5 need question marks.)
1
I know where she is
2
Why didn’t you vote for me
3
She asked if she could try the jumper on
4
Where did this week go
5
Who is the Prime Minister
6
He had no idea why she refused to answer his calls
7
They said they didn’t know why he did it
8
What have you been doing
9
Can I watch the telly please
10 The man wanted to know where Park Road is

Check your answers. (See page 80.)
Now have a go at writing three sentences of your own that would
need question marks.
1
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
Discuss your work with a tutor and decide what you want to work
on next.
______________________________________________________________________________________
f lex i p

ac k s
79
Writing pack 15
Suggested Answers
Exercise 54
1
Can I have a go on your motorbike?
2
How brave of you.
3
I wish I could have my life over again.
4
Did you go to town this week?
5
I will never touch a cigarette again.
6
Have you got any children?
7
How are you?
8
What time is it?
9
When is the shop opening?
10 What was the name of the actor?
Exercise 55
1
I know where she is.
2
Why didn’t you vote for me?
3
She asked if she could try the jumper on.
4
Where did this week go?
5
Who is the Prime Minister?
6
He had no idea why she refused to answer his calls.
7
They said they didn’t know why he did it.
8
What have you been doing?
9
Can I watch the telly please?
10 The man wanted to know where Park Road is.
f lex i p
______________________________________________________________________________________
ac k s
80
Download