Let’s go through each sentence one by one and figure out what the ellipsis (the three dots) is doing in each case. Remember, an ellipsis can show:
- A pause (like someone stopping to think or breathe)
- Hesitation (like they’re unsure or nervous)
- An incomplete thought (they didn’t finish saying something)
- Passage of time (something happened after a gap)
We’ll match each sentence to the best choice: A, B, C, or D.
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1. “Mom . . .” Hank said, knowing he was about to upset his mother.
→ Hank is starting to say something but stops before finishing — probably because he’s scared or unsure. That’s
hesitation.
✔ Answer:
B
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2. The siren wailed . . . Then there was silence.
→ The siren was loud, then after some time, it stopped and silence came. This shows time passing between events.
✔ Answer:
D
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3. “I’m not going to be able to make it Saturday because . . .”
→ The speaker starts giving a reason but doesn’t finish — maybe they forgot, or don’t want to say it. That’s an
incomplete thought.
✔ Answer:
C
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4. “If I could just think of something . . .”
→ They’re trying to remember or come up with an idea, but haven’t yet. It feels like they’re stuck or pausing to think — that’s a
pause.
✔ Answer:
A
*(Note: Some might argue hesitation, but since they’re actively trying to think and not showing fear or nervousness, “pause” fits better as a mental break.)*
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5. “Well . . . Um . . . I suppose I could do that.”
→ The words “Well” and “Um” are classic signs of someone struggling to speak — they’re nervous or unsure. That’s
hesitation.
✔ Answer:
B
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6. John did his best . . . but in the end, it wasn’t good enough.
→ There’s a gap between him doing his best and the result. It suggests time passed or a shift in outcome —
passage of time.
✔ Answer:
D
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7. Gosh . . . I don’t know. So many choices.
→ “Gosh” is an exclamation, then a pause before admitting confusion. The ellipsis here shows a moment of thinking or breathing — a
pause.
✔ Answer:
A
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8. “Fiona,” Jake began, “I was wondering . . . do you think . . .”
→ Jake starts asking a question but trails off twice — he’s unsure how to phrase it or is nervous. That’s
hesitation.
✔ Answer:
B
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Final Answers:
1. B
2. D
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. A
8. B
Final Answer:
1. B
2. D
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. A
8. B
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of ellipsis worksheet.
