Checkpoint 6 · Reading: grammar & punctuation

Punctuation: Every Mark and Why Writers Use It

Every punctuation mark you need for Checkpoint 6, from full stops to semicolons, with the uses to learn, all the possible answers to 'Why does the writer use ___?', speech punctuation, apostrophes and practice.

British & IGCSE › Checkpoint 6 English (Cambridge Primary 0058)

1. Why punctuation matters in Checkpoint 6

Punctuation marks are signals. They tell the reader where to stop, pause, add information, hear someone speak or feel a strong emotion. In Checkpoint 6 you meet punctuation in both sections of Paper 1 (Non-fiction) and Paper 2 (Fiction):

Reading (25 marks in each paper): questions can ask why the writer uses a punctuation mark in a certain line, for example commas, an ellipsis, brackets or dashes, or ask you to find an example of a mark.
Writing (25 marks in each paper): Grammar and punctuation is worth 7 marks. The examiner looks for accurate basic punctuation (capital letters, full stops, commas, speech marks) and a range of other marks used correctly.

The most common reading question looks like this: Why does the writer use ___ in line X? On this page, every mark has a box with all the possible answers you can write. Learn them.

The answer frame for every punctuation question

1. Name the mark and quote the words around it.
2. Give its use (from the boxes on this page): e.g. *to add extra information*.
3. Give the effect in this text: what the reader notices, feels or understands.
Example: *The writer uses brackets in line 4, '(the oldest tree in the town)', to add extra information about the tree, which shows the reader why it is so special.*

2. Capital letters and full stops

A capital letter starts every sentence. It is also used for:

the word I: *Yesterday I went swimming.*
names of people, places, days, months, festivals, languages and nationalities: *Hassan, Cairo, Monday, March, Eid, Arabic, Egyptian*
titles of books, films and people: *The Secret Garden, Doctor Amin*
the first word inside speech marks: *She said, “We are late.”*

A full stop ends a statement or a calm command. Forgetting full stops (and joining sentences with commas) is the most common mistake in Checkpoint writing.

3. Question marks and exclamation marks

Mark	Use	Example
?	ends a question, including a rhetorical question	Where are my keys? Who wants to live in a dirty town?
!	shows strong feeling (surprise, excitement, fear, anger) or an urgent command	What a view! Watch out!

Why does the writer use a question mark (a question)? All the answers you can write

to speak directly to the reader and involve them
to make the reader think about the topic
to make the reader curious, so they read on to find the answer
a rhetorical question: to make the reader agree with the writer (the answer is obvious)
in a story: to show a character's confusion, worry or doubt

Why does the writer use an exclamation mark? All the answers you can write

to show strong emotion (surprise, shock, excitement, fear, anger)
to make the moment dramatic and grab the reader's attention
to show that something is said loudly or urgently (*Run!*)
to make the text lively and exciting, so the reader shares the feeling
in adverts: to make an offer sound exciting

One is enough

Use one exclamation mark, never *!!!*, and do not use one at the end of every sentence. Too many make your writing look childish and they lose their effect.

4. Commas

The comma is the most used mark after the full stop. It has many jobs. Learn each one with its example.

Use	Example
1. To separate items in a list (no comma before and in most British lists)	We packed water, sandwiches, fruit and a map.
2. To separate adjectives before a noun	It was a long, dark, frightening night.
3. After a fronted adverbial or opening phrase	In the morning, we left. / Slowly, the door opened.
4. After a subordinate clause at the start of a sentence (to separate the clauses)	When the bell rang, everyone stood up.
5. Before a FANBOYS conjunction joining two main clauses	I was tired, but I kept walking.
6. A pair of commas around extra information	My uncle, a famous chef, cooked dinner.
7. To separate the name of a person spoken to	Mona, can you help me? / Thank you, Ali.
8. In direct speech, between the speech and the speaker	“I am ready,” said Omar. / Omar said, “I am ready.”
9. In letters: after the greeting and the closing	Dear Grandma, / Love,
10. Before or after words like however, yes, no, well	However, the plan failed. / Yes, I agree.

A comma can also show contrast, depending on the context: *The house was small, but warm.* / *He was smiling, not laughing.* Here the comma separates two ideas that are different from each other.

Why does the writer use commas? All the answers you can write

in a list: to separate the items so the reader can see each one clearly
in a long list: to show how many things there are (how busy, crowded or full a place is, or how big a problem is)
a pair of commas: to add extra information about a person, place or thing without starting a new sentence
after an opening clause or phrase: to separate the clauses, so the sentence is clear and easy to read
after an opening clause or phrase: to create a short pause that builds suspense before the main action
in speech: to separate the spoken words from the speaker
contrast: to separate two different or opposite ideas
many commas in a long sentence: to slow the reader down and build up a detailed picture

The extra-information test

With a pair of commas, cover the words between them. If the sentence still makes complete sense, the commas are around extra information. *My uncle, a famous chef, cooked dinner.* → *My uncle cooked dinner.* ✓

The comma splice

Never join two complete sentences with only a comma. *It was late, we went home.* ✗ Write *It was late, so we went home.* or *It was late. We went home.* ✓

5. Apostrophes

The apostrophe ( ' ) has two jobs: omission (missing letters) and possession (belonging).

Job 1: Omission (contractions). The apostrophe goes exactly where the letters are missing.

Full form	Contraction	Full form	Contraction
do not	don't	I am	I'm
cannot	can't	it is / it has	it's
will not	won't	they are	they're
should not	shouldn't	we have	we've
did not	didn't	she would / she had	she'd
could have	could've (never could of)	who is	who's

Job 2: Possession (belonging).

Rule	Example
One owner: add 's	the girl's bag (one girl) / the dog's bone
One owner ending in s: add 's	James's book / the bus's door
More than one owner, plural ends in s: add ' only	the girls' bags (many girls) / my parents' car
Plural that does not end in s: add 's	the children's toys / the men's shoes / the people's choice
Two people sharing one thing: 's on the last name only	Ali and Sara's house

Apostrophe traps

Never use an apostrophe for a simple plural: *apple's for sale* ✗ → *apples for sale* ✓
its = belonging to it (*The cat licked its paw.*) / it's = it is or it has (*It's raining.*)
your = belonging to you / you're = you are
their = belonging to them / they're = they are / there = a place
whose = belonging to whom / who's = who is

Why does the writer use apostrophes for contractions (don't, I'm, can't)? All the answers you can write

to make the writing sound informal, chatty and friendly, like someone talking
to make speech or a character's thoughts sound natural and realistic
to suit the audience, for example in an informal email, diary, blog or a magazine for children

Formal writing

In formal writing (a formal letter, a report, a balanced argument) use full forms: *do not, it is, we have*. In informal writing and in speech, contractions are fine.

6. Inverted commas (speech marks)

Inverted commas (“ ” or ‘ ’) have four uses that you must know:

Use	Example
1. Direct speech: the exact words someone says	“Close the door,” whispered Grandad.
2. A quotation: the exact words of someone, copied from somewhere else	The head teacher called the show “the best we have ever had”.
3. Words that are not meant literally (not the real meaning, and sometimes the writer does not believe them)	Our “holiday” was a week of rain and cold. (It did not feel like a real holiday.)
4. A name that is not the real name (a nickname or made-up name)	Everyone called the old car “The Rocket”.

Why does the writer use inverted commas? All the answers you can write

speech: to show the exact words a character says, so the reader hears them directly and the scene feels real
quotation: to show these are someone else's exact words, which makes the information more believable (e.g. an expert's opinion in a news report)
not literal: to show the word is not meant in its real meaning, often to be funny or to show the writer does not really believe it
not the real name: to show this is a nickname or a made-up name, not the real name

7. How to punctuate direct speech

Speech punctuation is checked in every story you write in Paper 2, and quotations often appear in Paper 1 news reports. Follow these rules exactly.

Put the exact spoken words inside inverted commas.
Start the spoken words with a capital letter.
Put the punctuation that ends the speech (, . ? !) inside the closing inverted commas.
If the speaker comes after the speech, end the speech with a comma (not a full stop), or with ? or ! : *“We are lost,” said Hana.* / *“Are we lost?” asked Hana.*
If the speaker comes before the speech, put a comma after the speaker: *Hana said, “We are lost.”*
Split speech in one sentence: *“If we hurry,” said Hana, “we can still catch the bus.”* (the second part starts with a small letter, because it is the same sentence)
Start a new line every time a new person speaks.

Model of a correctly punctuated conversation (original):

“Where did you find this map?” asked Karim, turning it over in his hands.

“In Grandad's old trunk,” Nour replied. “It was hidden under a pile of letters.”

Karim pointed at a red cross near the river. “Then that,” he said slowly, “must be where the treasure is buried!”

Common mistake	Correct
“I am hungry.” said Ali.	“I am hungry,” said Ali.
“Where is it”? she asked.	“Where is it?” she asked.
Ali said “I am hungry”.	Ali said, “I am hungry.”
“Let's go,” said Mona, “It is late.” (two sentences)	“Let's go,” said Mona. “It is late.”
Two speakers on the same line	New speaker, new line

Direct speech or reported speech?

Direct speech uses the exact words and inverted commas: *Ali said, “I am tired.”* Reported speech retells what was said, with no inverted commas: *Ali said that he was tired.* (See the Grammar in Use page for how to change one into the other.)

8. The colon ( : )

A colon usually comes after a complete sentence. It tells the reader: *here comes something that follows from what I have just said.* The colon has four uses:

Use	Example
1. To introduce a list	You will need three things: a torch, a rope and a map.
2. To introduce an explanation	We stayed inside all day: it was far too hot to go out.
3. To give emphasis (to make what follows stand out)	There was only one person who could help: Grandma.
4. To add extra information	The museum has a new exhibition: the treasures of ancient Egypt.

Why does the writer use a colon? All the answers you can write

list: to introduce a list, so the reader can see all the items clearly
explanation: to introduce an explanation of the idea before it (it tells us why or how)
emphasis: to make the words after it stand out and seem important
emphasis: to create a small pause before the key words, which can build suspense
extra information: to add extra information about the idea before it

Other places you will see a colon

Colons are also used in times (*7:30*) and in playscripts, after a character's name (*NOUR: Who's there?*). These are layout uses, not effects.

9. The semicolon ( ; )

The semicolon has one use: it joins two independent clauses (two complete sentences) that are closely related. Each side must be a complete sentence on its own.

*The rain had stopped; the children ran outside to play.*
*Omar loves football; he plays every afternoon.*
*The cave was silent; nobody dared to speak.*

The semicolon test

Replace the semicolon with a full stop. If you now have two correct sentences, the semicolon is right. *Omar loves football. He plays every afternoon.* ✓ If one side is not a complete sentence, the semicolon is wrong: *Because it rained; we stayed in.* ✗

Why does the writer use a semicolon? All the answers you can write

to join two independent clauses that are closely related
to show the reader that the two ideas are connected and belong together
to keep the two ideas in one sentence, so the reader reads them together and sees the link
to avoid two short, choppy sentences and make the writing flow smoothly

Do not

Do not use a semicolon before a list (use a colon).
Do not use a semicolon after a subordinate clause (*When I arrived; ...* ✗).
Do not use a semicolon with *and, but, so* between the clauses: either the conjunction or the semicolon.

10. Dashes ( – )

A dash ( – ) is longer than a hyphen and has a space on each side. Writers use dashes in two ways: a pair of dashes or a single dash.

Type	Use	Example
Pair of dashes	extra information in the middle of a sentence	My best friend – the boy who lives next door – is moving to Alexandria.
Single dash	emphasis: makes the words after it stand out, often something dramatic or surprising	We opened the box and found nothing inside – not even a note.
Single dash	interruption in the middle of speech, when someone is cut off or stops suddenly	“I think we should –” “Quiet!” hissed Dad.

Why does the writer use a pair of dashes? All the answers you can write

to add extra information about the person, place or thing in the sentence
the extra information stands out more than it would with commas, so the reader notices it

Why does the writer use a single dash? All the answers you can write

emphasis: to make the words after it stand out and seem important
emphasis: to create a pause before a surprising or dramatic ending, which shocks the reader or builds suspense
interruption: to show that a speaker is cut off or interrupted while speaking
interruption: to show a character stopping suddenly (because of fear, shock or another person), which makes the speech sound real and creates tension

11. Brackets ( )

Brackets always come in pairs. They have one use: to add extra information. If you take the brackets and the words inside away, the sentence still makes sense.

*The Nile (the longest river in Africa) flows through eleven countries.*
*Our teacher (who is usually very calm) shouted with joy.*
*Tickets cost 50 pounds (children under five go free).*

Why does the writer use brackets? All the answers you can write

to add extra information without interrupting the main sentence
to explain a word or give a detail (a date, a number, an example) that helps the reader understand
to show the information is less important, like a quick side comment
in informal writing: the side comment can make the writer sound chatty and friendly, as if talking to the reader

Commas, dashes or brackets?

All three can mark extra information in the middle of a sentence. Commas are the gentlest, brackets make it a quiet side comment, and dashes make it stand out the most. Choosing different ones shows the examiner a range of punctuation.

12. Ellipsis ( ... )

An ellipsis is three dots: never two, never five. It has three uses:

Use	Example
1. Incomplete information: words or ideas are left out, or a sentence trails off and the reader must guess the rest	And they lived happily ever after... or did they?
2. Suspense / a pause: makes the reader wait	Slowly, the door creaked open... and there stood a tall, dark figure.
3. Interruption: speech breaks off or someone hesitates	“I was just... I mean, I didn't...” stammered Yousef.

Why does the writer use an ellipsis? All the answers you can write

incomplete information: to show that something is left out or unfinished, so the reader has to imagine the rest
incomplete information: to leave the reader wondering, which creates mystery
suspense / pause: to make the reader pause and wait, which builds suspense and tension before something important happens
suspense / pause: at the end of a paragraph or chapter (a cliffhanger), to make the reader want to read on
interruption: to show a character is interrupted, or hesitates, because they are nervous, scared, unsure or upset
interruption: to show speech trailing off, which makes it sound realistic

Do not overuse it

One ellipsis at the most suspenseful moment is powerful. An ellipsis at the end of every sentence loses its effect and looks careless.

13. The hyphen ( - )

A hyphen is shorter than a dash and has no spaces around it. It joins words or parts of words.

Use	Example
1. To join words that make one describing word before a noun	a well-known writer / a ten-year-old boy / a man-eating shark
2. In numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine, and in fractions	forty-two / one-third
3. With some prefixes, especially to avoid two vowels together or confusion	re-enter / co-operate / ex-teacher / re-cover (cover again) is different from recover (get better)
4. To show stammering in speech	“B-b-but I didn't do it!”

Why does the writer use a hyphen? All the answers you can write

to join words into one describing word, so the description is clear and compact
to make the meaning clear and avoid confusion (*a man-eating shark* is very different from *a man eating shark*)
in speech (*b-b-but*): to show the character is stammering because they are scared, nervous or cold

14. Bullet points

Bullet points are a layout feature of non-fiction texts (Paper 1), such as leaflets, instructions, information texts and reports. Each bullet point is one short item or idea.

Keep each bullet short.
Start each bullet in the same way (all verbs, or all nouns).
Introduce the bullet list with a short sentence ending in a colon.

Why does the writer use bullet points? All the answers you can write

to break information into short, clear points that are easy to read
to help the reader find information quickly
to make important points stand out
to organise information and avoid long, heavy paragraphs
to suit the text type (a leaflet, instructions or a fact sheet)

15. All the marks in one table

Mark	Uses to learn
. full stop	ends a statement or a calm command
? question mark	ends a question, including a rhetorical question
! exclamation mark	strong emotion / urgent command
, comma	lists / adjectives / after an opening phrase or clause / before FANBOYS / pair of commas = extra information / name of the person spoken to / speech / can show contrast by context
' apostrophe	omission (contractions) / possession
“ ” inverted commas	direct speech / a quotation by someone / not the literal meaning / not the real name
: colon	list / explanation / emphasis / extra information
/ semicolon	joins two independent, closely related clauses (only this use)
– – pair of dashes	extra information
– single dash	emphasis / interruption in speech
( ) brackets	extra information
... ellipsis	incomplete information / suspense / pause / interruption
- hyphen	joins words into one / numbers / prefixes / stammering
• bullet points	short, clear, easy-to-find points in non-fiction

أهم قواعد علامات الترقيم كما ندرّسها

الـ semicolon له استخدام واحد فقط: يربط جملتين كاملتين مرتبطتين ببعض. لا تكتب أنه يُظهر تضادًا، ولا تستخدمه في القوائم.
الـ colon: قائمة، أو شرح، أو تأكيد (emphasis)، أو معلومة إضافية.
زوج الـ dashes = معلومة إضافية دائمًا. الـ dash الواحدة = تأكيد، أو مقاطعة في الكلام.
الأقواس (brackets) = معلومة إضافية. الـ ellipsis = معلومة ناقصة، أو تشويق/توقف، أو مقاطعة.

16. Worked exam-style example

Read this original extract. The line numbers are given as they would be in the exam.

Line 1: Every Friday, my grandfather – the strongest man I have ever known – took me fishing.

Line 2: We always took the same things: two rods, a bucket and a bag of bread.

Line 3: One morning, the line pulled hard; the rod bent like a bow.

Line 4: “Hold on, Sami!” Grandad shouted. “Don't let it –”

Line 5: The line snapped. The water went still... and then something huge rose to the surface.

Why does the writer use a pair of dashes in line 1? (1 mark)
Show answer
To add extra information about the grandfather (*the strongest man I have ever known*), which shows how much the narrator admires him.
Why does the writer use a colon in line 2? (1 mark)
Show answer
To introduce a list of the things they took fishing (*two rods, a bucket and a bag of bread*).
Why does the writer use a semicolon in line 3? (1 mark)
Show answer
To join two independent clauses that are closely related: the line pulling and the rod bending happen together, so the reader sees how strong the fish is.
Why does the writer use a dash at the end of line 4? (1 mark)
Show answer
To show an interruption: Grandad is cut off in the middle of speaking, which suggests something sudden has happened and creates tension.
Why does the writer use an ellipsis in line 5? (1 mark)
Show answer
To create a pause and suspense: the reader has to wait before finding out what rises to the surface.
Find a comma used to separate the name of the person spoken to.
Show answer
Line 4: *“Hold on, Sami!”*
Why does the writer use an exclamation mark in line 4?
Show answer
To show that Grandad is shouting urgently, which shows his excitement or worry and makes the moment dramatic.

17. Practice A: why does the writer use it?

*The old house (empty for twenty years) stood at the end of the street.* Why are brackets used?
Show answer
To add extra information about the house: it has been empty for twenty years, which makes it seem mysterious.
*Something was moving in the garden... something big.* Why is an ellipsis used?
Show answer
To create a pause and suspense before revealing that the thing is big. It makes the reader nervous.
*Nobody expected the winner – a seven-year-old girl.* Why is the single dash used?
Show answer
For emphasis: it makes the surprising winner stand out after a short pause.
*The market was full of noise, colour, spices, people, cats and carts.* Why does the writer use so many commas?
Show answer
To separate the items in a long list, which shows how busy and crowded the market is and builds a detailed picture.
*The so-called “shortcut” took us three hours.* Why are inverted commas used around *shortcut*?
Show answer
To show the word is not meant literally: it was not really a shortcut, so it is funny and shows the writer's annoyance.
*“W-w-where are you going?” whispered Lina.* Why are hyphens used in *W-w-where*?
Show answer
To show Lina is stammering, because she is frightened or nervous.
*Remember one thing: never feed the monkeys.* Why is a colon used?
Show answer
For emphasis: it makes the important rule after it stand out.
*We missed the bus; we had to walk home in the rain.* Why is a semicolon used?
Show answer
To join two independent clauses that are closely related: missing the bus and walking home are connected.

18. Practice B: punctuate correctly

Add the missing punctuation: *where are you going asked dad*
Show answer
*“Where are you going?” asked Dad.*
Add apostrophes: *The boys bikes were left outside the childrens library and they didnt lock them.* (more than one boy)
Show answer
*The boys' bikes were left outside the children's library and they didn't lock them.*
Choose *its* or *it's*: *___ a lovely day. The bird is building ___ nest.*
Show answer
*It's a lovely day. The bird is building its nest.*
Add a colon: *I have three hobbies reading, swimming and drawing.*
Show answer
*I have three hobbies: reading, swimming and drawing.*
Add a pair of commas for extra information: *Mr Salah our maths teacher won a prize.*
Show answer
*Mr Salah, our maths teacher, won a prize.*
Correct the speech: *“We are late.” said Mona “hurry up”!*
Show answer
*“We are late,” said Mona. “Hurry up!”*
Is this semicolon correct? *Although it was cold; we went swimming.*
Show answer
No. *Although it was cold* is not a complete sentence. Correct: *Although it was cold, we went swimming.*
Add hyphens: *My twenty two year old cousin is a well known singer.*
Show answer
*My twenty-two-year-old cousin is a well-known singer.*

كيف تحصل على الدرجة في سؤال Why does the writer use...?

اكتب اسم العلامة + اقتبس الكلمات + الاستخدام (مثل: to add extra information) + الأثر على القارئ في هذا النص.
استخدم الإجابات المحفوظة في الصناديق الموجودة في هذه الصفحة فقط، ولا تخترع استخدامًا جديدًا.
في الكتابة: استخدم علامات متنوعة بشكل صحيح (colon و semicolon و brackets و dashes) لكن بدون مبالغة.

All pages in this course

Start here: the exam

Reading: grammar & punctuation

Reading: understanding texts

Paper 1 writing: non-fiction

Paper 2 writing: fiction