Parentheses | KS3 English | Teachit - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The task requires inserting parentheses, commas, or dashes into the given sentences to improve clarity and correctness. The goal is to ensure that each sentence is grammatically correct and easy to understand by properly separating non-essential information or providing clear pauses.

Solution:

Below are the corrected sentences with the appropriate punctuation added:

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#### 1. I went to Berlin last year in May.
- Corrected: I went to Berlin (last year) in May.
- Explanation: "Last year" is additional information about when the trip occurred, so it is enclosed in parentheses to separate it from the main clause.

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#### 2. If you want a piece of fruit you can have two or three get it from the bowl.
- Corrected: If you want a piece of fruit, you can have two or three—get it from the bowl.
- Explanation: A comma is added after "fruit" to separate the introductory clause from the main clause. A dash is used to introduce the instruction "get it from the bowl," which provides additional direction.

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#### 3. The cat together with her kittens in tow crossed the garden.
- Corrected: The cat (together with her kittens in tow) crossed the garden.
- Explanation: "Together with her kittens in tow" is a descriptive phrase that provides additional information about the cat, so it is enclosed in parentheses.

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#### 4. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree Third Class.
- Corrected: He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Third Class).
- Explanation: "Third Class" is additional information about the degree, so it is enclosed in parentheses.

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#### 5. The children lost interest the food was all gone.
- Corrected: The children lost interest—the food was all gone.
- Explanation: A dash is used to connect the main idea ("lost interest") with the reason ("the food was all gone"), providing a clear pause and connection.

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#### 6. The wood ten tons of it was lost in the fire.
- Corrected: The wood (ten tons of it) was lost in the fire.
- Explanation: "Ten tons of it" is additional information about the quantity of wood, so it is enclosed in parentheses.

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#### 7. She bought a lawnmower the last in the shop.
- Corrected: She bought a lawnmower—the last in the shop.
- Explanation: A dash is used to provide additional detail about which lawnmower she bought, emphasizing that it was the last one available.

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#### 8. She drank her tea it was already cold and hurried out the door.
- Corrected: She drank her tea—it was already cold—and hurried out the door.
- Explanation: Dashes are used to set off the phrase "it was already cold," which provides additional information about the tea, and to separate the two actions ("drank her tea" and "hurried out the door").

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#### 9. Jason my best friend lives next door.
- Corrected: Jason, my best friend, lives next door.
- Explanation: Commas are used to enclose the appositive phrase "my best friend," which provides additional information about Jason.

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#### 10. William Shakespeare 1564-1616 was a playwright.
- Corrected: William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was a playwright.
- Explanation: Parentheses are used to enclose the birth and death years, which are additional details about William Shakespeare.

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#### 11. Our school St Luke’s Science and Sports College is the best in the city.
- Corrected: Our school, St Luke’s Science and Sports College, is the best in the city.
- Explanation: Commas are used to enclose the name of the school, which is additional information about "our school."

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#### 12. The brilliant students in our class all worked well together we wrote a film about war.
- Corrected: The brilliant students in our class all worked well together—we wrote a film about war.
- Explanation: A dash is used to connect the main idea ("worked well together") with the result ("we wrote a film about war"), providing a clear pause and connection.

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#### 13. The character of Smythe was shown when he said: ‘I love everything about women.’ p.14
- Corrected: The character of Smythe was shown when he said: ‘I love everything about women.’ (p. 14)
- Explanation: Parentheses are used to enclose the page number, which provides additional information about where the quote can be found.

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#### 14. Aren’t you surprised I know I was by the size of it?
- Corrected: Aren’t you surprised—I know I was by the size of it?
- Explanation: A dash is used to separate the question ("Aren’t you surprised") from the explanation ("I know I was by the size of it"), providing a clear pause.

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#### 15. Can you make one I know it’s hard to do by next Monday?
- Corrected: Can you make one—I know it’s hard to do—by next Monday?
- Explanation: Dashes are used to set off the phrase "I know it’s hard to do," which provides additional commentary on the difficulty of the task.

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Final Answer:

\boxed{
\begin{aligned}
1. & \text{ I went to Berlin (last year) in May.} \\
2. & \text{ If you want a piece of fruit, you can have two or three—get it from the bowl.} \\
3. & \text{ The cat (together with her kittens in tow) crossed the garden.} \\
4. & \text{ He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Third Class).} \\
5. & \text{ The children lost interest—the food was all gone.} \\
6. & \text{ The wood (ten tons of it) was lost in the fire.} \\
7. & \text{ She bought a lawnmower—the last in the shop.} \\
8. & \text{ She drank her tea—it was already cold—and hurried out the door.} \\
9. & \text{ Jason, my best friend, lives next door.} \\
10. & \text{ William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was a playwright.} \\
11. & \text{ Our school, St Luke’s Science and Sports College, is the best in the city.} \\
12. & \text{ The brilliant students in our class all worked well together—we wrote a film about war.} \\
13. & \text{ The character of Smythe was shown when he said: ‘I love everything about women.’ (p. 14)} \\
14. & \text{ Aren’t you surprised—I know I was by the size of it?} \\
15. & \text{ Can you make one—I know it’s hard to do—by next Monday?}
\end{aligned}
}