Grammar for writing: using brackets and dashes

Grammar for writing: using brackets and dashes

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will be covering how to use brackets and dashes accurately.We will be using them to explore how you can create a convincing narrative voice.

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8 Questions

Q1.
It's or its? "The chicken has escaped from _____ coop."
it's
Correct answer: its
Q2.
It's or its? "____ nearly bedtime."
Correct answer: it's
its
Q3.
It's or its? "My family has _____ moments of madness. "
it's
Correct answer: its
Q4.
Imply or infer? "From his tone of voice, we can _________ that he was angry. "
imply
Correct answer: infer
Q5.
Affect or effect? "When analysing language, you should think about the ___________ on the reader. "
affect
Correct answer: effect
Q6.
Practice or practise? "I am going to be late for football ______________. "
Correct answer: practice
practise
Q7.
There, their or they're? "I think I left my homework over _________. "
their
Correct answer: there
they're
Q8.
There, their or they're? "I never read magazines when ___________ full of celebrity gossip. "
their
there
Correct answer: they're

9 Questions

Q1.
Which of the phrases below could be used to complete the sentence. Parenthesis is...
Correct answer: a way of adding extra information to the sentence
marked by a pair of brackets, dashes or commas
marked by a semicolon
usually optional detail
Q2.
Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: ;
brackets (used to add non-essential information)
colon (used to introduce information to clarify, explain or emphasise)
dash (used to emphasise additional information)
hyphen (used to join compound words)
Correct answer: semicolon (used to link related main clauses)
Q3.
Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: -
brackets (used to add non-essential information)
colon (used to introduce information to clarify, explain or emphasise)
dash (used to emphasise additional information)
Correct answer: hyphen (used to join compound words)
semicolon (used to link related main clauses)
Q4.
Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: ( )
Correct answer: brackets (used to add non-essential information)
colon (used to introduce information to clarify, explain or emphasise)
dash (used to emphasise additional information)
hyphen (used to join compound words)
semicolon (used to link related main clauses)
Q5.
Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: :
brackets (used to add non-essential information)
Correct answer: colon (used to introduce information to clarify, explain or emphasise)
dash (used to emphasise additional information)
hyphen (used to join compound words)
semicolon (used to link related main clauses)
Q6.
Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: —
brackets (used to add non-essential information)
colon (used to introduce information to clarify, explain or emphasise)
Correct answer: dash (used to emphasise additional information)
hyphen (used to join compound words)
semicolon (used to link related main clauses)
Q7.
Which of the following rules for using brackets are true?
a pair of brackets surround the extra information.
Correct answer: full stops should never go inside the bracket
the extra information inside the brackets should be a main clause
the extra information is essential
Q8.
Which sentence uses brackets correctly?
I was (devastated) to learn that the bookshop one of my only places of refuge and comfort was closing down.
I was devastated (to learn that the bookshop) one of my only places of refuge and comfort was closing down.
Correct answer: I was devastated to learn that the bookshop (one of my only places of refuge and comfort) was closing down.
I was devastated to learn that the bookshop one of my only places (of refuge and comfort) was closing down.
Q9.
Which sentence uses dashes correctly?
He blinked — dazed by the sunlight and searched the sky.
He blinked dazed — by the sunlight and — searched the sky.
He blinked dazed by the sunlight and — searched the sky.
Correct answer: He blinked— dazed by the sunlight — and searched the sky.

Lesson appears in

UnitEnglish / Grammar for Writing

English