SHS DirectorySHS MatchLesson PlansGES Promotion Past QuestionsStudent Lesson NotesBlogs

Basic 4 · Ghanaian Language · Penmanship and Handwriting

Full Stops, Commas and Question Marks

In this topic you will recognise and use full stops, commas and question marks.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Recognise full stops, commas and question marks
  • Explain when each mark is used
  • Punctuate sentences correctly

What you already know

  • Full stops and commas (Basic 3)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Writing
Sub-strand
Penmanship and Handwriting
Indicator
B4.3.1.1.1-3 – Recognize the use of full stops, commas and question mark

Introduction

Punctuation marks are signals. A full stop says "stop", a comma says "pause", and a question mark says "this is a question".

1. The Three Marks

Punctuation marks
MarkNameUseExample
.full stopends a statementThe farm is big.
,commaseparates items or shows a pauseWe grow yam, maize and cassava.
?question markends a questionWhere is the farm?
Full stop, comma and question mark shown as traffic signals
Figure 1: Punctuation signals Copy the three signals and their examples.Illustration: Sirbus

2. Questions

Questions often begin with question words: who, what, where, when, why, how.

They end with a question mark, not a full stop.

Common mistake: "Where are you going." is wrong. Write "Where are you going?"

Tip: The same marks are used when writing your Ghanaian language.

New words

punctuation
Marks that make writing clear.
statement
A sentence that tells something.
question
A sentence that asks something.
full stop
The mark that ends a statement.
comma
The mark that shows a pause.
question mark
The mark that ends a question.

Summary

  • A full stop ends a statement.
  • A comma separates items in a list or shows a pause.
  • A question mark ends a question.
  • Correct punctuation makes meaning clear.

Class activity: Punctuation Sort

  1. Read the sentence strips about local life.
  2. Add the correct punctuation using the punctuation cards.
  3. Sort the sentences into statements and questions.

You need: Locally made punctuation cards, Sentence strips about local life, Exercise books, Pencils

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which mark ends a question?

    • A. ?
    • B. .
    • C. ,
    • D. !
    Show answer
    Answer: ?Questions end with ?.

  2. 2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

    • A. Where is my bag?
    • B. Where is my bag.
    • C. where is my bag
    • D. Where, is my bag
    Show answer
    Answer: Where is my bag?It is a question.

  3. 3. Which mark separates items in a list?

    • A. Comma
    • B. Full stop
    • C. Question mark
    • D. Colon
    Show answer
    Answer: CommaCommas separate items.

  4. 4. A statement ends with a full stop.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt tells something.

  5. 5. "Who are you." is punctuated correctly.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIt needs a question mark.

  6. 6. A sentence that asks something is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: questionIt ends with ?.

  7. 7. Punctuate: "do you like yam beans and plantain"

    Show answer
    Answer: Do you like yam, beans and plantain?Capital, commas, question mark.

  8. 8. Write one statement and one question about your school.

    Show answer
    Answer: E.g. My school is big. Where is the library?Use . and ?.

Homework

  1. Write five sentences using full stops, commas and question marks.