Punctuation: Test Your Knowledge
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
The Bookshop
1 It was a lekker day when I strolled into the bookshop—more like a treasure trove,
2 really! The first thing I noticed was the smell, you know? That mix of old paper and
3 coffee from the café in the corner. Wow! The vibe here was as chilled as a Sunday braai
4 (with boerie rolls and all).
5 Rows upon rows of books filled the space, from hardcovers to paperbacks, biographies,
6 self-help guides, etc. It was overwhelming, yet comforting. I paused by a table stacked
7 with classics, their well-worn covers calling out to be read. As I scanned the titles, I
8 spotted The Real Struggle Stories and reached for it instinctively.
9 The pages were filled with gripping tales—stories of resilience, hope, and heartbreak—
10 woven together seamlessly. I couldn’t help but admire the author’s storytelling skills.
11 While flipping through it, I looked over at the small café section, where people sat at
12 mismatched tables sipping cappuccinos, surrounded by booklovers and a comforting
13 hum of conversation, and felt at home.
14 Eventually, I made my way to the counter and asked the clerk if they had other books
15 on history or anthropology. “Near the back shelf,” he replied. I smiled, purchased the
16 book for R150 (Okay, R149.99 if we’re being precise), and stepped out, eager to start
17 reading. As I walked out into the crisp air, I couldn’t help but wonder if the bookshop
18 had more hidden corners waiting to be explored...
1. Explain why the words lekker and braai in paragraph one have been italicised
(are in italics). (1)
2. What is the function of the dash in line 1? (1)
3. What is the function of the exclamation mark? Explain whether you are allowed to
use more than one exclamation mark at the end of a sentence. (2)
Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.co.za
Punctuation: Test Your Knowledge
4. What is the function of the brackets in line 4? (1)
5. Name the two other punctuation marks that can be used in pairs for
the same function. (2)
6. What is the comma used for in lines 5-6? (1)
7. Name the function of the hyphen used in line 7. (1)
8. Why is The Real Struggle Stories underlined? (1)
9. What is the function of the apostrophe in ‘couldn’t’ (line 10)? (1)
10. What is the function of the apostrophe in ‘author’s’ (line 10)? (1)
11. Explain why quotation marks have been used in line 15. (1)
12. Name the punctuation mark at the end of the passage (line 18).
Explain its function. (2)
Total: 15
Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.co.za
Answers
Punctuation: Test Your Knowledge
1. Explain why the words lekker and braai in paragraph one have been italicised
(are in italics). (1)
They are italicised to indicate that these words are in a different language
(Afrikaans).
2. What is the function of the dash in line 1? (1)
The single dash functions to indicate that the words behind it are an
afterthought.
3. What is the function of the exclamation mark? Explain whether you are allowed to
use more than one exclamation mark at the end of a sentence. (2)
The exclamation mark in this context is to indicate excitement (a strong
emotion). An exclamation mark is not used in multiples. A single exclamation
mark is sufficient.
4. What is the function of the brackets in line 4? (1)
The brackets are used to add additional information.
5. Name the two other punctuation marks that can be used in pairs for
the same function. (2)
Dashes and commas.
6. What is the comma used for in lines 5-6? (1)
The commas are used to list items. In this context, they are listing the types
of books available in the bookshop.
7. Name the function of the hyphen used in line 7. (1)
It creates a compound adjective. (accept ‘compound word’ as an answer).
8. Why is The Real Struggle Stories underlined? (1)
Underlining indicates that it is a title of something. In this context, it is the
title of a book.
Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.co.za
Punctuation: Test Your Knowledge - Answers
9. What is the function of the apostrophe in ‘couldn’t’ (line 10)? (1)
The apostrophe is used to indicate contraction/omission.
10. What is the function of the apostrophe in ‘author’s’ (line 10)? (1)
The apostrophe is used to indicate possession.
11. Explain why quotation marks have been used in line 15. (1)
The quotation marks are used to indicate direct speech.
12. Name the punctuation mark at the end of the passage (line 18).
Explain its function. (2)
The punctuation mark is called an ellipsis - ellipses (plural).
Ellipses at the end of a sentence implies there's more to discover, leaving a sense
of curiosity and anticipation. It indicates an incomplete thought.
Total: 15
Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.co.za
