Language

Sentences That Make Sense

The Spark

Concept

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It must start with a capital letter and end with a full stop (or question mark or exclamation mark). Understanding sentence boundaries is essential for both reading and writing.

Activity

Read aloud a short sentence in a flat monotone, then read it with proper phrasing and emphasis. Ask: 'Which sounded better? What do the full stops and capitals help us do?' This builds the connection between punctuation and spoken rhythm.

Check

Show your child a paragraph from a familiar book. Can they find and name each type of punctuation? Can they explain why each piece of punctuation is there?

1

Sentence or Not? (Set A)

Circle S if it is a complete sentence. Circle N if it is not.

The dog ran fast.

S
N

jumped over the

S
N

My cat likes fish.

S
N
TipAsk your child: 'Does it tell me something complete? Can it stand on its own?'
2

Sentence or Not? (Set B)

Circle S if it is a complete sentence. Circle N if it is not.

the big red

S
N

We went to the park.

S
N

Running and jumping

S
N
3

Find the Capital Letter

Circle the word that should have a capital letter at the start of each sentence.

the cat sat on the mat.

the
cat
mat

my name is Jack.

my
name
Jack

we like to swim.

we
like
swim
TipEvery sentence begins with a capital letter. Names of people and places also get capitals.
4

Match the Sentence to Its Punctuation

Draw a line from each sentence to the correct ending mark.

The sun is hot
Where is my hat
We are going home
What a great day
.
?
.
!
TipRead each sentence aloud — your voice helps you hear whether it is a statement, question or exclamation.
5

Add the Full Stop (Set A)

Each sentence is missing its full stop. Write the sentence and add the full stop at the end.

The bird is in the tree ←add .

I like to run fast ←add .

My mum has a red bag ←add .

6

Spot the Correct Sentence (Set A)

Circle the sentence that uses a capital letter and full stop correctly.

Which is correct?

the dog is big.
The dog is big.
The dog is big

Which is correct?

I can run fast.
i can run fast.
I can run fast
TipOnly one option has BOTH the capital at the start AND the full stop at the end.
7

Correct or Incorrect? (Set A)

Sort each sentence: is the punctuation correct or does it need fixing?

The cat is fluffy.
my dog can run
She likes apples.
we went to school
He is tall.
the sun is hot
Correct
Needs fixing
8

Fix the Capitals (Set A)

Rewrite each sentence with the correct capital letter at the start.

the cat sat on the mat → ______

my dog is very fluffy → ______

she can jump high → ______

TipCover the incorrect version after your child reads it, so they write from memory with the fix.
9

Unscramble the Sentence (Set A)

Put the words in the correct order. Write the sentence with a capital letter and full stop.

?
fast / dog / ran / the → ______
?
likes / my / fish / cat → ______
?
big / is / sun / the → ______
TipAsk your child to say it aloud in different orders until it sounds right.
10

Full Stop or Question Mark? (Set A)

Circle the correct ending punctuation for each sentence.

The sun is shining today

.
?

What is your name

.
?

She has a blue bag

.
?

Where do you live

.
?
11

Write a Sentence About the Picture

Look at the word below. Write one sentence about it. Use a capital letter and a full stop.

Write a sentence about: a cat

Write a sentence about: the sun

TipEncourage your child to say the sentence aloud before writing.
12

Match Sentence Halves (Set A)

Draw a line to join each beginning to its best ending.

The bird sat
I can run
My mum likes
The fish swam
very fast.
in the tree.
in the pond.
to read books.
13

Spot the Correct Sentence (Set B)

Circle the sentence that is written correctly.

Which is correct?

she is my friend.
She is my friend.
She is my friend

Which is correct?

We can play.
we can play.
we can play

Which is correct?

he has a hat
He has a hat.
he has a hat.
14

Fix the Full Stops (Set A)

These sentences are missing their full stops. Rewrite them correctly.

I have a red ball → ______

The dog likes to dig → ______

We play in the garden → ______

TipRead the sentence aloud — when your voice drops and pauses, that is where the full stop goes.
15

Statement or Question? (Set A)

Sort each sentence: is it a statement (telling) or a question (asking)?

The cat is black
Where is the ball
I like ice cream
What is your name
She has a hat
Do you like dogs
Statement (.)
Question (?)
TipTip: A statement tells you something. A question asks you something. Read each one aloud and listen to your voice — does it go up at the end (question) or stay flat (statement)?
16

Choose the Ending Mark (Set A)

Circle the best punctuation mark for each sentence.

How old are you

.
?
!

My favourite colour is blue

.
?
!

Watch out for the bee

.
?
!

She has a new dress

.
?
!
17

Write Two Questions

Write two questions. Remember to start with a capital and end with a question mark.

Question 1:

Question 2:

TipSuggest question starters: What, Where, Who, Why, How, Do, Can, Is.
18

Unscramble the Sentence (Set B)

Put the words in the correct order. Add the capital and full stop.

?
to / we / park / went / the → ______
?
hat / red / a / wore / she → ______
?
a / found / I / shell → ______
19

Which Needs a Question Mark?

Circle the sentence that is a question.

Which is a question?

I like cats.
Do you like cats?
Cats are soft.

Which is a question?

Where is my hat?
My hat is red.
I lost my hat.
TipQuestions ASK something. They usually start with who, what, where, when, why, how, do, can, or is.
20

Punctuation Hunt

Go on a punctuation hunt! Look around your house for full stops, capital letters and question marks.

  • 1Find 5 full stops on food packaging and read the sentences aloud.
  • 2Look at a page in a picture book and count all the capital letters.
  • 3Find a question mark anywhere in your home — what does the question ask?
  • 4Write your name with a big capital letter — stick it on your bedroom door.
21

Statement, Question or Exclamation? (Set A)

Circle the correct punctuation for each sentence.

I can see a rainbow

.
?
!

What time is it

.
?
!

Look out for the car

.
?
!

The bus is here

.
?
!
TipAn exclamation shows strong feeling: surprise, excitement, warning.
22

Sort the Sentences by Mark (Set A)

Sort each sentence by the punctuation mark it needs at the end.

The bird sat in the tree
Where is my lunch box
Watch out for the bee
My favourite colour is green
Can you help me please
Wow, that was amazing
Full stop .
Question mark ?
Exclamation mark !
23

Add All Three Marks

Write one sentence that ends with a full stop, one with a question mark, and one with an exclamation mark.

Statement (.): ______

Question (?): ______

Exclamation (!): ______

TipModel an example of each type before your child writes.
24

Fix the Error (Set A)

One thing is wrong in each sentence. Circle what needs fixing.

the cat is on the mat.

Capital missing
Full stop missing
All correct

My dog is fluffy

Capital missing
Full stop missing
All correct

She has a red hat.

Capital missing
Full stop missing
All correct
25

Proofread and Fix (Set A)

Each sentence has one mistake. Rewrite it correctly.

the dog ran fast. → ______

I like apples → ______

where is my shoe. → ______

she is My friend. → ______

TipAsk your child to read the sentence first and find the error before rewriting.
26

Match Sentence Halves (Set B)

Draw a line to join each beginning to its best ending.

We went to
The baby is
My friend can
Dad cooked
run very fast.
the beach.
sleeping now.
dinner for us.
TipRead each combination aloud to check it makes sense.
27

Statement, Question or Exclamation? (Set B)

Circle the correct ending mark.

That is so cool

.
?
!

Where are my shoes

.
?
!

The train is late

.
?
!

Help me please

.
?
!

Do you have a pet

.
?
!
28

Write About Your Pet (or Dream Pet)

Write 3 sentences about a pet you have or would like to have. Check each sentence has a capital and an ending mark.

Sentence 1:

Sentence 2:

Sentence 3:

29

Correct or Incorrect? (Set B)

Sort each sentence: does it have correct punctuation or not?

Do you like fish?
the tree is tall.
She can swim.
where is my bag
Watch out!
i am six years old
Correct
Needs fixing
TipCheck two things: capital letter at the start AND correct mark at the end.
30

Unscramble the Sentence (Set C)

Put the words in the correct order. Add the capital letter and correct ending mark.

?
your / is / what / name → ______?
?
the / fish / in / swam / pond / the → ______.
?
out / watch / for / the / ball → ______!
TipTip: When you write a sentence, always check: Does it start with a capital? Does it end with the right mark? Does it make sense when I read it aloud?
31

How Many Sentences? (Set A)

Read the group of words. Circle how many sentences there are.

The cat sat. The dog ran.

1
2
3

I like fish. She likes chips. We are hungry.

1
2
3

My hat is red.

1
2
3
TipCount the full stops and question marks — each one marks the end of a sentence.
32

Add the Missing Capitals and Stops

This passage is missing capital letters and full stops. Rewrite it correctly.

the sun is hot i like to swim we go to the beach → Rewrite:

TipRead the passage aloud first — pause where you naturally stop speaking.
33

Match the Question to Its Answer

Draw a line from each question to the correct answer.

What is your name?
How old are you?
Where do you live?
Do you have a pet?
I am six.
Yes, I have a cat.
My name is Sam.
I live in Sydney.
34

Choose the Ending Mark (Set B)

Circle the best ending mark for each sentence.

The frog jumped into the pond

.
?
!

Is it raining outside

.
?
!

That spider is huge

.
?
!

My brother is taller than me

.
?
!

Can I have a biscuit

.
?
!
35

Write Questions About a Picture

Think of a picture from a book you like. Write 3 questions someone could ask about it.

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

TipGive question starters if needed: What is...? Where is...? Why did...? How many...?
36

Sort the Sentences by Mark (Set B)

Sort each sentence by its ending punctuation mark.

We won the race
How old are you
That was so surprising
I have a red pencil
Who took my book
Run as fast as you can
Full stop .
Question mark ?
Exclamation mark !
37

Proofread and Fix (Set B)

Each sentence has one or two mistakes. Rewrite it correctly.

my brother is tall → ______

do you like apples → ______

the Bird can fly. → ______

look Out for the snake → ______

38

Which Sentence Is Correct? (Set A)

Circle the sentence that uses all punctuation correctly.

Which is correct?

the ball is Red.
The ball is red.
The ball is red

Which is correct?

can you swim?
Can you swim?
Can you swim.

Which is correct?

Watch out!
watch out!
Watch out.
39

Unscramble the Question

Put the words in the correct order to make a question. Add a capital and question mark.

?
you / do / like / apples → ______?
?
is / where / my / hat → ______?
?
old / how / you / are → ______?
?
we / can / play / outside → ______?
40

Punctuation in the Real World

Explore how punctuation works in everyday life around you.

  • 1Write a message to someone in your family using at least one full stop, one question mark and one exclamation mark.
  • 2Find a sign or poster that uses an exclamation mark — why did the writer use it?
  • 3Read a page from any book aloud with expression — pause at full stops and raise your voice for questions.
  • 4Play Punctuation Police: look at your own writing from this week and check every sentence.
41

Two Sentences From One (Set A)

Each group of words is actually TWO sentences squished together. Rewrite them as two separate sentences with correct punctuation.

the cat ran the dog barked → ______

I like apples she likes grapes → ______

the sun is hot we need hats → ______

TipRead the words aloud — where your voice naturally pauses is where the first sentence ends.
42

How Many Sentences? (Set B)

Read the passage. Circle how many sentences there are.

My dog is brown. He can run fast. He likes to play.

1
2
3

We went to the shop. Mum got milk.

1
2
3

The bird sang a song. It was in the tree. The cat watched it.

1
2
3
43

Match Sentence Halves (Set C)

Draw a line to join each beginning to its best ending.

The teacher read
We played football
My sister drew
I ate my lunch
at the park.
a story to us.
in the classroom.
a picture of a cat.
TipRead each combination to check it makes a sensible, complete thought.
44

Write a Mini Paragraph

Write 3 sentences about what you did today. Remember: each sentence needs a capital and an ending mark.

What I did today (3 sentences):

TipA paragraph is a group of sentences about the same topic. This is your child's first practice at connected writing.
45

Fix the Error (Set B)

Find the mistake in each sentence and circle what needs fixing.

we like to swim.

Capital missing
Full stop wrong
All correct

Do you like cats.

Capital missing
Full stop wrong
All correct

My mum is kind.

Capital missing
Full stop wrong
All correct

she can Run fast.

Capital wrong
Random capital
All correct
TipTip: The three most common punctuation mistakes are: (1) forgetting the capital letter, (2) forgetting the full stop, and (3) using the wrong ending mark. Check for all three every time you write.
46

Statement or Question? (Set B)

Sort each sentence: is it telling (statement) or asking (question)?

Can I have some water
The park is close to my house
Where did you put the ball
My teacher is very nice
Is it time to go home
I finished my work
Statement (.)
Question (?)
47

Change Statements to Questions

Turn each statement into a question. The first one is done for you.

The cat is black. → Is the cat black? (example)

You like pizza. → ______

She can run fast. → ______

He has a dog. → ______

TipShow how flipping the word order can turn a statement into a question: 'You can swim' becomes 'Can you swim?'
48

Which Sentence Is Correct? (Set B)

Circle the sentence that uses all punctuation correctly.

Which is correct?

i have a cat.
I have a Cat.
I have a cat.

Which is correct?

where is the dog?
Where is the dog?
Where is the Dog?

Which is correct?

That is amazing!
that is amazing!
That is Amazing!
49

Proofread and Fix (Set C)

Find and fix all the mistakes in these sentences.

my sister is six she likes to Dance → ______

the cat and the dog are Friends → ______

can you see the bird it is in the tree → ______

50

Match Questions to Answers (Set B)

Draw a line from each question to the correct answer.

What colour is the sky?
How many legs does a spider have?
Where do fish live?
Who is your best friend?
In water.
Blue.
Eight.
(Your answer)
51

Capital Letters for Names (Set A)

Circle the words that need a capital letter because they are names.

I went to see jack.

I
jack
see

My dog is called rex.

My
dog
rex

We live in sydney.

We
live
sydney
TipNames of people, places and pets always start with a capital letter — even in the middle of a sentence.
52

Fix the Names (Set A)

Rewrite each sentence with the correct capital letters for names.

my friend emma lives in brisbane. → ______

We went to visit grandma rose. → ______

my cat fluffy likes to sleep. → ______

53

Capital for a Name or Start of Sentence?

Sort each capital letter: is it there because it starts a sentence or because it is a name?

The (in: The bird sang.)
Jack (in: I saw Jack.)
She (in: She can swim.)
Sydney (in: We live in Sydney.)
My (in: My hat is red.)
Rex (in: Rex is my dog.)
Start of sentence
A name
54

Write Sentences With Names

Write a sentence about each person or place. Use capital letters for names.

A sentence about your best friend:

A sentence about where you live:

A sentence about a pet (real or imagined):

TipRemind your child: 'the' and 'a' do not get capitals unless they start the sentence.
55

Commas in Lists (Set A)

Circle the sentence that uses commas in a list correctly.

Which uses commas correctly?

I like cats dogs and fish.
I like cats, dogs and fish.
I like, cats dogs, and fish.

Which uses commas correctly?

She has a red, blue and green hat.
She has a red blue and green hat.
She, has a red blue, and green hat.
TipIn a list of three or more things, put a comma between each item (except before 'and').
56

Add Commas to Lists (Set A)

Rewrite each sentence adding commas in the correct places.

I packed a hat a drink and a sandwich. → ______

We saw birds fish and butterflies. → ______

My bag has books pencils and a ruler. → ______

57

Match Sentence Halves (Set D)

Draw a line to join each beginning to its best ending.

On Monday we went
The cake had chocolate,
My favourite animals are
Mum bought apples,
cats, dogs and rabbits.
to the zoo.
cream and sprinkles.
bananas and grapes.
58

Write a List Sentence (Set A)

Write a sentence that includes a list of three things. Use commas correctly.

Three foods I like:

Three colours I can see:

Three things in my bedroom:

TipGive examples: 'I like pizza, pasta and rice.' or 'The bag has a book, a pen and an eraser.'
59

Capital Letters for Names (Set B)

Circle the name that needs a capital letter.

my teacher is mrs smith.

my
teacher
mrs smith

We went to perth for the holidays.

We
perth
holidays

I read a book by dr seuss.

I
book
dr seuss
60

Capital Letter Detectives

Hunt for capital letters in the real world and figure out WHY they are there.

  • 1Look at a street sign — why do the words have capital letters?
  • 2Find 5 capital letters in a book and decide: is it a name or the start of a sentence?
  • 3Write a sentence about someone in your family using their name correctly.
  • 4Make a list of all the proper nouns (names) you can think of in 2 minutes.
61

Two Sentences From One (Set B)

These are two sentences joined together. Rewrite them as two separate sentences.

My brother likes soccer he plays every Saturday → ______

The cat jumped on the bed it went to sleep → ______

We had pizza for dinner it was yummy → ______

62

Which Sentence Is Correct? (Set C)

Circle the sentence that uses all punctuation correctly.

Which is correct?

My friend Jack lives in Melbourne.
my friend jack lives in melbourne.
My friend Jack lives in melbourne.

Which is correct?

I have a cat, a dog and a fish.
I have a cat a dog and a fish.
I have, a cat a dog, and a fish.
TipCheck: capital at start, correct ending mark, capitals for names, commas in lists.
63

Sort the Sentences by Mark (Set C)

Sort each sentence by its ending punctuation mark.

My best friend is called Mia
Did you remember your lunch
That goal was incredible
We went to the shops on Saturday
What time does school start
Be careful on the stairs
Full stop .
Question mark ?
Exclamation mark !
64

Proofread and Fix (Set D)

Find and fix ALL the mistakes in each sentence.

me and emma went to the Park → ______

have you seen my Hat → ______

we had soup bread and Cake for lunch → ______

jack and i live in brisbane → ______

TipChallenge your child to find every error before rewriting. Count the errors aloud together.
65

Match Questions to Answers (Set C)

Draw a line from each question to the correct answer.

What day is it today?
How many letters in 'cat'?
Where is Australia?
Who wrote your favourite book?
Three.
(Your answer)
(Your answer)
(Day of the week)
66

Write About Your Weekend

Write 4 sentences about your weekend (real or imagined). Use capital letters, full stops and at least one question or exclamation.

My weekend:

67

Commas in Lists (Set B)

Circle the sentence that uses commas in a list correctly.

Which is correct?

We need glue scissors and paper.
We need glue, scissors and paper.
We, need glue scissors, and paper.

Which is correct?

The farm had cows, pigs and chickens.
The farm had, cows pigs and chickens.
The farm had cows pigs, and chickens.

Which is correct?

I play soccer, netball and tennis.
I play, soccer netball, and tennis.
I play soccer netball and tennis.
68

Add Commas to Lists (Set B)

Rewrite each sentence adding commas in the correct places.

She wore a hat scarf and gloves. → ______

We visited Sydney Melbourne and Perth. → ______

My lunch had a sandwich an apple and a drink. → ______

69

Unscramble the Sentence (Set D)

Put the words in the correct order. Add correct punctuation.

?
favourite / my / is / colour / blue → ______.
?
where / live / does / jack → ______?
?
apples / I / oranges / and / like / grapes → ______, ______ and ______.
?
incredible / that / was → ______!
70

Write a Short Letter

Write a short letter to a friend or family member. Use at least one statement, one question and one exclamation. Include commas in a list if you can.

Dear ______,

From, ______

TipLetters are a real-world reason to use proper punctuation. Help your child see the purpose.
71

Fix the Error (Set C)

Find the punctuation mistake in each sentence.

My mum, dad and I went to the beach

Comma wrong
Full stop missing
Capital missing

where did you put my Book?

Capital at start
Random capital
Both wrong

Jack and emma are best friends.

Capital for name
Full stop wrong
All correct
72

Correct or Incorrect? (Set C)

Sort each sentence: is the punctuation correct or does it need fixing?

My friend Zara is funny.
we went to Melbourne.
Can I have some water?
I like dogs cats and birds.
Dad cooked pasta for dinner.
sam and I play together
Correct
Needs fixing
73

Proofread and Fix (Set E)

Find and fix all mistakes. There may be more than one per sentence.

jack and lily went to sydney → ______

we had cake lollies and juice at the party → ______

have you Met my cat fluffy → ______

TipUse a checklist: (1) Capital at start? (2) Capitals for names? (3) Correct ending mark? (4) Commas in lists?
74

Write a Menu

Imagine you have a restaurant. Write the name of three dishes on your menu. Write a sentence about each dish using correct punctuation.

Dish 1: ______ — sentence about it:

Dish 2: ______ — sentence about it:

Dish 3: ______ — sentence about it:

TipThis connects writing conventions to a fun real-world task.
75

Which Sentence Is Correct? (Set D)

Circle the sentence with perfect punctuation.

Which is correct?

my friend Jack and I went to Melbourne.
My friend Jack and I went to Melbourne.
My Friend jack and i went to Melbourne.

Which is correct?

we had apples, bananas and grapes.
We had apples, bananas and grapes.
We had Apples Bananas and Grapes.
TipTip: Great writers proofread their work. After writing, always read your sentences aloud and check: capital at start, full stop at end, capitals for names, commas in lists. These four checks will fix most mistakes!
76

Dictation Practice (Set A)

Ask someone to read these sentences to you. Write them down with correct punctuation.

Sentence 1: (ask your helper to dictate)

Sentence 2: (ask your helper to dictate)

Sentence 3: (ask your helper to dictate)

TipRead each sentence twice: once for understanding, once for writing. Pause at punctuation marks.
77

Match Sentence Halves (Set E)

Draw a line to join each beginning to its best ending.

On Saturday, we went
Mum packed sandwiches,
The zoo had lions,
After lunch, we saw
the monkey show.
to the zoo.
fruit and water.
tigers and elephants.
78

Write About a Trip

Write 4 sentences about a trip or outing you have been on. Use statements, at least one question and at least one list with commas.

My trip:

79

Statement, Question or Exclamation? (Set C)

Circle the correct ending mark.

I wonder if it will rain tomorrow

.
?
!

The fireworks were so beautiful

.
?
!

Have you ever been to the beach

.
?
!

My birthday is in June

.
?
!

Quick, get inside before the rain

.
?
!
80

Punctuation Power-Up

Challenge yourself to use perfect punctuation in everything you write this week.

  • 1Write a postcard to a real or imaginary friend — use at least 5 sentences with perfect punctuation.
  • 2Be the family Punctuation Police for a day — check notes, messages and shopping lists!
  • 3Read a newspaper article and find examples of statements, questions and exclamations.
  • 4Create a punctuation poster showing: full stop, question mark, exclamation mark, comma — with an example of each.
81

Joining Words (Set A)

Circle the best joining word (conjunction) to connect these two sentences.

I was hungry ___ I ate a sandwich.

so
but
and

She likes cats ___ she does not like dogs.

so
but
and

We went to the park ___ played on the swings.

so
but
and
TipJoining words like 'and', 'but', 'so' and 'because' connect ideas within a sentence.
82

Join Two Sentences (Set A)

Use 'and', 'but' or 'so' to join each pair of sentences into one longer sentence.

The dog ran. The cat hid. → ______

I like pizza. I do not like olives. → ______

It was raining. We took an umbrella. → ______

83

Sort the Joining Words

Sort each joining word by what it does.

and
but
so
and also
however (like but)
therefore (like so)
Adds information (and)
Shows contrast (but)
Shows result (so)
84

Joining Words (Set B)

Circle the best joining word.

I wanted an ice cream ___ the shop was closed.

and
but
so

She practised every day ___ she got better.

and
but
so

He likes reading ___ writing stories.

and
but
so

The sun came out ___ we went outside.

and
but
so
85

Apostrophe Introduction (Set A)

An apostrophe shows ownership. Rewrite each phrase using an apostrophe. Example: the tail of the dog → the dog's tail.

the hat of the girl → the girl's ______

the ball of the boy → the boy's ______

the bone of the dog → the dog's ______

the tail of the cat → the cat's ______

TipFor Year 1, focus only on singular possessives (one owner). Plural possessives come later.
86

Match the Possessive (Set A)

Draw a line to match each phrase with its shorter possessive form.

the bag of Mum
the toy of the baby
the car of Dad
the nest of the bird
the baby's toy
Mum's bag
the bird's nest
Dad's car
87

Apostrophe or Not?

Circle the sentence that uses the apostrophe correctly.

Which is correct?

The girl's hat is red.
The girls hat is red.
The girl hat's is red.

Which is correct?

Sams dog is big.
Sam's dog is big.
Sams' dog is big.

Which is correct?

The cats tail is long.
The cat's tail is long.
The cats' tail is long.
TipAt Year 1, an apostrophe shows who owns something: Jack's hat = the hat belonging to Jack.
88

Join Two Sentences (Set B)

Use 'and', 'but', 'so' or 'because' to join each pair into one sentence.

We went to the beach. It was a hot day. → ______

I finished my homework. I watched TV. → ______

She was tired. She kept running. → ______

TipEncourage your child to read the joined sentence aloud to check it sounds natural.
89

Proofread a Paragraph (Set A)

This paragraph has 6 mistakes. Find and fix all of them. Rewrite the whole paragraph correctly.

on Saturday me and jack went to the zoo we saw lions tigers and elephants jack liked the monkeys best i liked the penguins it was a great Day → Rewrite:

90

Which Sentence Is Correct? (Set E)

Circle the sentence with perfect punctuation and grammar.

Which is correct?

Jack's dog ran to the park, but it was too hot so they came home.
jacks dog ran to the park but it was too hot so they came home
Jack's dog ran to the Park, But it was too Hot so they came Home.

Which is correct?

We packed hats sunscreen and water because it was sunny.
We packed hats, sunscreen and water because it was sunny.
we packed hats, sunscreen and water Because it was Sunny.
TipTip: When you have finished writing, read your work aloud slowly. Check these five things: (1) capital letter at the start, (2) correct ending mark, (3) capitals for names and places, (4) commas in lists of three or more, (5) apostrophes for ownership. If all five are correct, you are a punctuation champion!
91

Write a News Report

Imagine you are a news reporter. Write 4 to 5 sentences about something that happened (real or imagined). Use capitals for names and places, commas in lists and correct ending marks.

My news report:

92

Sort the Punctuation Rules

Sort each rule into the correct category.

Start every sentence with one
Use . for statements
Put between items in a list
Use for names of people
Use ? for questions
Use for names of places
Use ! for exclamations
Put before 'and' in a long list (optional)
Capital letter rules
Ending mark rules
Comma rules
93

Proofread a Paragraph (Set B)

This paragraph has mistakes. Find and fix all of them. Rewrite correctly.

last week mum took me and sophie to the park we played on the swings slides and monkey bars sophie fell off the swing but she was ok we had sandwiches juice and fruit for lunch → Rewrite:

TipCount the errors first before rewriting. This paragraph has about 5 mistakes.
94

Joining Words (Set C)

Circle the best joining word.

I like apples ___ I do not like bananas.

and
but
so

It was cold ___ I wore a jumper.

and
but
so

She sang ___ danced at the concert.

and
but
so

The ice cream melted ___ it was a hot day.

and
but
because
95

Write an Invitation

Write an invitation to a party. Include: who it is for, when it is, where it is, and what to bring. Use correct punctuation throughout.

My party invitation:

TipInvitations use multiple sentence types — statements, questions and exclamations all fit naturally.
96

Match the Rule to the Example

Draw a line from each punctuation rule to an example sentence that demonstrates it.

Capital for names
Question mark
Comma in a list
Exclamation mark
Joining with 'but'
I like cats, dogs and fish.
What is your name?
I was tired but I kept going.
Watch out!
My friend Zara lives in Perth.
97

Proofread a Paragraph (Set C)

This is the hardest paragraph yet! Find and fix all the mistakes.

yesterday jack emma and i went to sydney we caught the train because mums car was broken when we got there we saw the harbour bridge the opera house and lots of boats jack said wow this is amazing we had fish and chips for lunch and then we went home i cant wait to go again → Rewrite:

98

Write a Diary Entry

Write a diary entry about today. Use at least 5 sentences with a mix of statements, questions and exclamations. Include names, commas in lists and at least one joining word.

Dear Diary,

99

Punctuation Self-Check

Look at a piece of writing you did this week. Check it against these rules and fix any mistakes.

Does every sentence start with a capital? (yes/no):

Does every sentence end with . or ? or !? (yes/no):

Do all names have capitals? (yes/no):

Are commas used in lists? (yes/no):

Write one sentence you fixed:

TipThis metacognitive activity builds lifelong proofreading habits.
100

Punctuation Challenge Week

Set yourself a punctuation challenge for the whole week!

  • 1Write a letter to a family member who lives far away using perfect punctuation.
  • 2Create a mini book (3 to 4 pages) with a title page, story and 'About the Author' page — check every sentence.
  • 3Interview a family member with 5 questions, write down their answers, then check all the punctuation.
  • 4Read a page from your favourite book and count every type of punctuation mark — make a tally chart.