8th Grade Language Arts California Common Core Standard L.8.2a

Which sentence uses a comma correctly to show a pause?

• Before we eat let’s wash our hands.

• Before we eat, let’s wash our hands.

• Before, we eat let’s wash our hands.

• Before we eat let’s, wash our hands.

Which sentence uses a dash to show a sudden break in thought?

• I was walking to school—I saw a dog chase a squirrel.

• I was walking—to school I saw a dog chase a squirrel.

• I was walking to school I saw—a dog chase a squirrel.

• I was walking to school I—saw a dog chase a squirrel.

What does the ellipsis (...) show in this sentence? "I was going to tell you something... but I forgot."

• A new paragraph is beginning

• An exciting moment

• A pause or trailing off in thought

• A mistake in grammar

Which sentence correctly uses an ellipsis to show hesitation?

• I... I’m not sure what to say.

• I... I’m not sure what to say?

• I. . . I’m not sure what to say.

• I— I’m not sure what to say.

Which sentence uses punctuation correctly to separate items in a list?

• We bought apples bananas and grapes.

• We bought apples, bananas, and grapes.

• We bought, apples bananas, and grapes.

• We bought apples, bananas and, grapes.

Choose the sentence that uses a dash correctly.

• He said he’d be here by noon—but he’s late.

• He said—he’d be here by noon but, he’s late.

• He said he’d be—here by noon, but he’s late.

• He said he’d be here by noon but—he’s late.

Which sentence uses an ellipsis to create suspense?

• She opened the door—slowly.

• She opened the door... and gasped.

• She opened the door, and gasped.

• She opened the door; and gasped.

Why might a writer use a dash instead of a comma or period?

• To make the sentence longer

• To confuse the reader

• To show a sudden interruption or break in thought

• To list several items in a sentence

Which sentence is punctuated correctly with a comma?

• Yes I saw the movie last weekend.

• Yes, I saw the movie last weekend.

• Yes I, saw the movie last weekend.

• Yes I saw, the movie last weekend.

Which sentence correctly uses all three punctuation marks (comma, ellipsis, dash)?

• I don’t know, maybe... we should go—the weather looks bad.

• I don’t know maybe, we should go— the weather... looks bad.

• I don’t know—maybe we should go, the weather looks... bad.

• I don’t know maybe we should go, the weather looks bad...