Punctuation & Conventions — Drills · Grade 6 English
Chapter: Language & VocabularyWhat these drills covers
By the end of Punctuation & Conventions you should be able to:
- I can use commas, parentheses, and dashes to set off extra, nonessential information in a sentence.
- I can capitalize proper nouns and titles correctly and spell grade-level words correctly.
- I can keep verb tense consistent and repair distracting shifts between past and present.
4 questions, written answer, each with a worked explanation.
Vocabulary used: nonessential (parenthetical) element, parentheses, dash (em dash), proper noun, verb tense.
Problem 1
Answer and explanation
'The old oak tree, which my grandfather planted, still shades the whole yard.' A pair of commas sets off the nonessential clause, and remembering the second comma (after 'planted') is the key.
'The old oak tree, which my grandfather planted, still shades the whole yard.' A pair of commas sets off the nonessential clause, and remembering the second comma (after 'planted') is the key.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
Jo asked, “Can we add one more line?” Ren nodded, then put the pencil down. The question mark belongs to the spoken question. The second sentence names Ren as the actor; other grammatical versions are possible if the meaning stays clear.
Jo asked, “Can we add one more line?” Ren nodded, then put the pencil down. The question mark belongs to the spoken question. The second sentence names Ren as the actor; other grammatical versions are possible if the meaning stays clear.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
Commas can set off nonessential added information, but essential identifying information is not automatically set off. Compare “My friend Ren arrived” with “Ren, my friend, arrived.” Explain what identifies the person and what is added.
Commas can set off nonessential added information, but essential identifying information is not automatically set off. Compare “My friend Ren arrived” with “Ren, my friend, arrived.” Explain what identifies the person and what is added.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 4
Answer and explanation
In the first case, 'The old oak tree, which my grandfather planted, still shades the whole yard.' A pair of commas sets off the nonessential clause, and remembering the second comma (after 'planted') is the key. In the changed case, Jo asked, “Can we add one more line?” Ren nodded, then put the pencil down. The question mark belongs to the spoken question. The second sentence names Ren as the actor; other grammatical versions are possible if the meaning stays clear. The method of defining the relationship and testing relevant evidence transfers; the particular source detail and scope must be checked anew.
In the first case, 'The old oak tree, which my grandfather planted, still shades the whole yard.' A pair of commas sets off the nonessential clause, and remembering the second comma (after 'planted') is the key. In the changed case, Jo asked, “Can we add one more line?” Ren nodded, then put the pencil down. The question mark belongs to the spoken question. The second sentence names Ren as the actor; other grammatical versions are possible if the meaning stays clear. The method of defining the relationship and testing relevant evidence transfers; the particular source detail and scope must be checked anew.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.