Literacy: Dashes | Worksheet | PrimaryLeap.co.uk - Free Printable

Let's solve this literacy task step by step. The goal is to add a dash (—) in each sentence where it’s needed to separate or emphasize parts of the sentence. Dashes are used to show a break in thought, add emphasis, or separate additional information.

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🔹 Rule Reminder:

- Dashes are often used to set off extra information or show contrast.
- They can replace commas or parentheses for stronger emphasis.
- A dash typically comes before and after the inserted phrase:
*I love pizza — especially pepperoni.*

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Now, let’s go through each sentence:

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a) My mum loves bananas I hate them!
→ There’s a contrast between what the mum likes and what the speaker dislikes.
✔ My mum loves bananas — I hate them!

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b) Mr. Green has a motorbike a black one.
→ "A black one" describes the motorbike.
✔ Mr. Green has a motorbike — a black one.

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c) On the beach I found something shiny a shell.
→ "A shell" explains what the shiny thing was.
✔ On the beach I found something shiny — a shell.

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d) I won a medal for coming first in swimming.
→ This sentence is complete and doesn’t need a dash. But wait — it could be improved with a dash if we want to add emphasis. However, as written, there's no clear break or added info.
✘ No dash needed here. But the instruction says "put a dash in each sentence." So perhaps it’s expecting one? Let's check again.

Wait — actually, the instruction says: "Put a dash in each sentence below." So even if it seems unnecessary, we must add one somewhere meaningful.

But in d, there's no natural pause or extra info. So maybe it's not suitable?

Wait — let's reconsider:
"I won a medal for coming first in swimming."
We could split it to emphasize the reason:
→ I won a medal — for coming first in swimming.
Yes, that works! It emphasizes the reason.

✔ I won a medal — for coming first in swimming.

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e) Mum is cooking my favourite meal tonight macaroni and cheese.
→ "Macaroni and cheese" is the name of the meal.
✔ Mum is cooking my favourite meal tonight — macaroni and cheese.

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f) I saw a good film yesterday an alien film.
→ "An alien film" specifies the type.
✔ I saw a good film yesterday — an alien film.

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g) My friend lives near a station a train station.
→ "A train station" clarifies which station.
✔ My friend lives near a station — a train station.

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h) I love art class especially painting.
→ "Especially painting" adds emphasis.
✔ I love art class — especially painting.

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i) One girl looked sad she was crying.
→ Two ideas: she looked sad because she was crying.
✔ One girl looked sad — she was crying.

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j) Study hard for exams or you will never pass them!
→ This is a warning. We could use a dash to emphasize the consequence.
✔ Study hard for exams — or you will never pass them!

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k) My cat loves his favourite toy a white mouse.
→ "A white mouse" is the toy.
✔ My cat loves his favourite toy — a white mouse.

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l) Tom looked funny he was wearing a clown costume.
→ Two related thoughts: he looked funny because of the costume.
✔ Tom looked funny — he was wearing a clown costume.

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m) My little brother came into my room shouting as usual.
→ "Shouting as usual" adds extra detail.
✔ My little brother came into my room — shouting as usual.

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✔ 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.

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📝 Explanation:

Dashes are used to:
- Add emphasis
- Insert extra information
- Show contrast or explanation
- Replace commas or parentheses for stronger impact

In most cases, the dash separates the main idea from a comment or clarification.

✔ All sentences now have a dash where appropriate, following the rule that dashes hold words apart and clarify meaning.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or further explanations!