Mastering punctuation is essential for clear and effective writing. The following set of 20 advanced punctuation questions is designed to help students prepare for the 11+ assessment by practising the correct use of various punctuation marks.
Sample Example
Question:
Insert the correct punctuation marks in the following sentence.
Sentence:
When I went to the market I bought apples oranges and bananas.
Answer:
When I went to the market, I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
Explanation:
Commas are used to separate items in a list and to set off introductory phrases.
Questions
1. Comma Usage
Insert the necessary commas in the sentence below.
Sentence:
Although it was raining we decided to go for a walk in the park.
2. Apostrophes for Possession
Choose the correct form to show possession.
Sentence:
The _ books are on the table.
Options:
A) childrens’
B) children’s
C) childrens
D) childrens’s
3. Quotation Marks
Add quotation marks where needed.
Sentence:
She said I can’t wait to see the new movie tonight.
4. Semicolon Usage
Insert a semicolon in the correct place.
Sentence:
I have a big test tomorrow I can’t go out tonight.
5. Colon Usage
Choose the correct sentence that uses a colon appropriately.
Options:
A) He brought three things to the picnic: a blanket, sandwiches, and lemonade.
B) He brought three things: to the picnic a blanket, sandwiches, and lemonade.
C) He brought three things to the picnic a blanket, sandwiches, and lemonade.
D) He brought: three things to the picnic a blanket, sandwiches, and lemonade.
6. Hyphen Usage
Insert hyphens where necessary.
Sentence:
It was a well known fact that she could solve the puzzle quickly.
7. Parentheses Usage
Add parentheses where appropriate.
Sentence:
The concert was postponed the lead singer was ill.
8. Exclamation Marks
Determine if an exclamation mark is needed and place it correctly.
Sentence:
Watch out for the car
9. Comma Splices
Correct the comma splice in the sentence.
Sentence:
He loves to play football, he plays every weekend.
10. Dash Usage
Insert a dash in the correct place.
Sentence:
She finally answered after taking a long pause.
11. Ellipsis Usage
Add an ellipsis where necessary.
Sentence:
I was thinking we could go to the museum … if you’re free.
12. Capitalisation and Punctuation
Correctly capitalise and punctuate the sentence.
Sentence:
on monday we visited the london eye it was spectacular
13. Using Apostrophes for Contractions
Insert the apostrophe to form the contraction.
Sentence:
They are going to the park becomes They _ going to the park.
14. Correct Use of Commas with Adjectives
Insert commas between the adjectives if needed.
Sentence:
It was a bright sunny day in the beautiful garden.
15. Correcting Run-on Sentences
Break the run-on sentence into two correct sentences.
Sentence:
The teacher was late the students started the lesson without her.
16. Using Quotation Marks for Titles
Add quotation marks to the title in the sentence.
Sentence:
I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird.
17. Using Apostrophes for Plurals
Choose the correct form to make the noun plural.
Sentence:
The _ are playing in the garden.
Options:
A) childs
B) children
C) childrens
D) child’s
18. Correct Use of Commas in Dates
Punctuate the date correctly.
Sentence:
Her birthday is on 5th May 2010
19. Using Colons to Introduce a List
Insert a colon where necessary.
Sentence:
You need to bring the following items a flashlight, a tent, and a sleeping bag.
20. Correct Use of Apostrophes in Possessive Pronouns
Choose the correct form to show possession.
Sentence:
Its raining outside.
Options:
A) It’s
B) Its’
Answers
1. Comma Usage
Answer:
Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk in the park.
2. Apostrophes for Possession
Answer:
B) children’s
Explanation:
“Children” is already plural; to show possession, add an apostrophe after the “n.”
3. Quotation Marks
Answer:
She said, “I can’t wait to see the new movie tonight.”
4. Semicolon Usage
Answer:
I have a big test tomorrow; I can’t go out tonight.
5. Colon Usage
Answer:
A) He brought three things to the picnic: a blanket, sandwiches, and lemonade.
6. Hyphen Usage
Answer:
It was a well-known fact that she could solve the puzzle quickly.
7. Parentheses Usage
Answer:
The concert was postponed (the lead singer was ill).
8. Exclamation Marks
Answer:
Watch out for the car!
9. Comma Splices
Answer:
He loves to play football. He plays every weekend.
10. Dash Usage
Answer:
She finally answered—after taking a long pause.
11. Ellipsis Usage
Answer:
I was thinking we could go to the museum… if you’re free.
12. Capitalisation and Punctuation
Answer:
On Monday, we visited the London Eye. It was spectacular.
13. Using Apostrophes for Contractions
Answer:
They’re going to the park.
14. Correct Use of Commas with Adjectives
Answer:
It was a bright, sunny day in the beautiful garden.
15. Correcting Run-on Sentences
Answer:
The teacher was late. The students started the lesson without her.
16. Using Quotation Marks for Titles
Answer:
I just finished reading “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
17. Using Apostrophes for Plurals
Answer:
B) children
Explanation:
“Children” is already the plural form of “child” and does not require an apostrophe for plurality.
18. Correct Use of Commas in Dates
Answer:
Her birthday is on 5th May, 2010.
19. Using Colons to Introduce a List
Answer:
You need to bring the following items: a flashlight, a tent, and a sleeping bag.
20. Correct Use of Apostrophes in Possessive Pronouns
Answer:
A) It’s
Explanation:
“It’s” is the contraction for “it is.” “Its” is a possessive pronoun, but in this sentence, “It’s raining outside” is correct.
These advanced punctuation questions are designed to challenge your understanding and application of complex punctuation rules, ensuring you are well-prepared for the 11+ English exam. Regular practice will help enhance your proficiency and confidence in using punctuation correctly.
