Literacy: Dashes | Worksheet | PrimaryLeap.co.uk - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Literacy: Dashes | Worksheet | PrimaryLeap.co.uk. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Step-by-step solution for: Literacy: Dashes | Worksheet | PrimaryLeap.co.uk
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Literacy: Dashes | Worksheet | PrimaryLeap.co.uk
Let's solve this literacy task step by step. The goal is to add a dash (—) in each sentence where it makes sense to separate ideas or add emphasis.
Dashes are used to:
- Add emphasis
- Insert extra information
- Show a sudden change in thought
- Separate clauses that are closely related
We’ll go through each sentence and insert a dash appropriately.
---
a. My mum loves bananas I hate them!
→ My mum loves bananas — I hate them!
*Explanation:* The two contrasting ideas are separated by a dash for emphasis.
---
b. Mr. Green has a motorbike a black one.
→ Mr. Green has a motorbike — a black one.
*Explanation:* The second part gives more detail about the motorbike, so we use a dash to introduce that detail.
---
c. On the beach I found something shiny a shell.
→ On the beach I found something shiny — a shell.
*Explanation:* The dash introduces the explanation of what "something shiny" was.
---
d. I won a medal for coming first in swimming.
→ This sentence doesn’t need a dash because it’s already clear and complete.
But if we interpret it as needing emphasis on the reason:
→ I won a medal — for coming first in swimming.
*Alternative interpretation:* The dash can be used to emphasize the reason.
✔ So: I won a medal — for coming first in swimming.
---
e. Mum is cooking my favourite meal tonight macaroni and cheese.
→ Mum is cooking my favourite meal tonight — macaroni and cheese.
*Explanation:* The dash introduces the specific meal.
---
f. I saw a good film yesterday an alien film.
→ I saw a good film yesterday — an alien film.
*Explanation:* The dash adds detail about the type of film.
---
g. My friend lives near a station a train station.
→ My friend lives near a station — a train station.
*Explanation:* Clarifies which kind of station.
---
h. I love art class especially painting.
→ I love art class — especially painting.
*Explanation:* The dash emphasizes the specific part of art class the speaker enjoys.
---
i. One girl looked sad she was crying.
→ One girl looked sad — she was crying.
*Explanation:* The dash shows the reason for her sadness.
---
j. Study hard for exams or you will never pass them!
→ This sentence is a warning with two parts. A dash can be used to emphasize the consequence:
→ Study hard for exams — or you will never pass them!
*Explanation:* Adds dramatic effect.
---
k. My cat loves his favourite toy a white mouse.
→ My cat loves his favourite toy — a white mouse.
*Explanation:* Introduces the name of the toy.
---
l. Tom looked funny he was wearing a clown costume.
→ Tom looked funny — he was wearing a clown costume.
*Explanation:* Explains why he looked funny.
---
m. My little brother came into my room shouting as usual.
→ My little brother came into my room — shouting as usual.
*Explanation:* The dash highlights the manner in which he entered.
---
a. My mum loves bananas — I hate them!
b. Mr. Green has a motorbike — a black one.
c. On the beach I found something shiny — a shell.
d. I won a medal — for coming first in swimming.
e. Mum is cooking my favourite meal tonight — macaroni and cheese.
f. I saw a good film yesterday — an alien film.
g. My friend lives near a station — a train station.
h. I love art class — especially painting.
i. One girl looked sad — she was crying.
j. Study hard for exams — or you will never pass them!
k. My cat loves his favourite toy — a white mouse.
l. Tom looked funny — he was wearing a clown costume.
m. My little brother came into my room — shouting as usual.
---
Dashes are powerful punctuation marks that help clarify meaning, add emphasis, or show contrast. In these sentences, they're used mostly to introduce extra information or highlight a contrast.
Well done on completing the task! 😊
Dashes are used to:
- Add emphasis
- Insert extra information
- Show a sudden change in thought
- Separate clauses that are closely related
We’ll go through each sentence and insert a dash appropriately.
---
a. My mum loves bananas I hate them!
→ My mum loves bananas — I hate them!
*Explanation:* The two contrasting ideas are separated by a dash for emphasis.
---
b. Mr. Green has a motorbike a black one.
→ Mr. Green has a motorbike — a black one.
*Explanation:* The second part gives more detail about the motorbike, so we use a dash to introduce that detail.
---
c. On the beach I found something shiny a shell.
→ On the beach I found something shiny — a shell.
*Explanation:* The dash introduces the explanation of what "something shiny" was.
---
d. I won a medal for coming first in swimming.
→ This sentence doesn’t need a dash because it’s already clear and complete.
But if we interpret it as needing emphasis on the reason:
→ I won a medal — for coming first in swimming.
*Alternative interpretation:* The dash can be used to emphasize the reason.
✔ So: I won a medal — for coming first in swimming.
---
e. Mum is cooking my favourite meal tonight macaroni and cheese.
→ Mum is cooking my favourite meal tonight — macaroni and cheese.
*Explanation:* The dash introduces the specific meal.
---
f. I saw a good film yesterday an alien film.
→ I saw a good film yesterday — an alien film.
*Explanation:* The dash adds detail about the type of film.
---
g. My friend lives near a station a train station.
→ My friend lives near a station — a train station.
*Explanation:* Clarifies which kind of station.
---
h. I love art class especially painting.
→ I love art class — especially painting.
*Explanation:* The dash emphasizes the specific part of art class the speaker enjoys.
---
i. One girl looked sad she was crying.
→ One girl looked sad — she was crying.
*Explanation:* The dash shows the reason for her sadness.
---
j. Study hard for exams or you will never pass them!
→ This sentence is a warning with two parts. A dash can be used to emphasize the consequence:
→ Study hard for exams — or you will never pass them!
*Explanation:* Adds dramatic effect.
---
k. My cat loves his favourite toy a white mouse.
→ My cat loves his favourite toy — a white mouse.
*Explanation:* Introduces the name of the toy.
---
l. Tom looked funny he was wearing a clown costume.
→ Tom looked funny — he was wearing a clown costume.
*Explanation:* Explains why he looked funny.
---
m. My little brother came into my room shouting as usual.
→ My little brother came into my room — shouting as usual.
*Explanation:* The dash highlights the manner in which he entered.
---
✔ Final Answers:
a. My mum loves bananas — I hate them!
b. Mr. Green has a motorbike — a black one.
c. On the beach I found something shiny — a shell.
d. I won a medal — for coming first in swimming.
e. Mum is cooking my favourite meal tonight — macaroni and cheese.
f. I saw a good film yesterday — an alien film.
g. My friend lives near a station — a train station.
h. I love art class — especially painting.
i. One girl looked sad — she was crying.
j. Study hard for exams — or you will never pass them!
k. My cat loves his favourite toy — a white mouse.
l. Tom looked funny — he was wearing a clown costume.
m. My little brother came into my room — shouting as usual.
---
📝 Summary:
Dashes are powerful punctuation marks that help clarify meaning, add emphasis, or show contrast. In these sentences, they're used mostly to introduce extra information or highlight a contrast.
Well done on completing the task! 😊
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of dashes worksheet.
