Year 1 English Questions and Exclamations: worked examples and questions with answers

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   Mia likes cake ___
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   full stop (.)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   Where is the ball ___
2. Decide what it does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   question mark (?)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. A question still needs a question mark, even when it is short.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   Hooray, it is my birthday ___
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   exclamation mark (!)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   The dog is big ___
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   full stop (.)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Dogs can swim
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Add the end mark. The full stop goes straight after the last word.
   Dogs can swim.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Can Ali come to the park
2. Decide what it does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Add the end mark. The question mark goes straight after the last word.
   Can Ali come to the park?

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. A question still needs a question mark, even when it is short.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Wow
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Wow!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   We went to the beach
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Add the end mark. The full stop goes straight after the last word.
   We went to the beach.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Yippee, I can swim
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Yippee, I can swim!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Look at the end of each sentence. Ask what each one does.

1. Read both sentences. Look at the end of each one.
   A: Is it time for lunch.   B: Is it time for lunch?
2. Decide what the right one does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Pick the sentence with the right end mark. The other one has the wrong end mark for what it does.
   B: Is it time for lunch?

Check. Read both out loud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. Look at the end of the sentence, and ask what it does.

Method. Ask: is it asking, showing a feeling, or telling?

1. Read the sentence. Listen to what it says.
   Mum made a cake
2. Decide what it does. It tells us what Mum did.
   It is telling something.
3. Write the answer. It does not ask anything, and it does not show a strong feeling.
   A full stop, because it tells something.

Check. Say it aloud: Mum made a cake. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Telling sentences often say what someone did, like made or ran.

Key words. Who asks about a person. Where asks about a place. When asks about a time.

Method. Think about the kind of answer we want.

1. Think about the answer. We want to know about a person.
   The answer is a person.
2. Find the question word for it. who asks about a person.
   who = a person
3. Write the question word.
   who

Check. Ask the question: Who is that? ✓

Watch out. Each question word asks for a different kind of answer.

Key words. Who asks about a person. Where asks about a place. When asks about a time.

Method. Think about the kind of answer we want.

1. Think about the answer. We want to know about a place.
   The answer is a place.
2. Find the question word for it. where asks about a place.
   where = a place
3. Write the question word.
   where

Check. Ask the question: Where is it? ✓

Watch out. Each question word asks for a different kind of answer.

Key words. Who asks about a person. Where asks about a place. When asks about a time.

Method. Think about the kind of answer we want.

1. Think about the answer. We want to know about a time.
   The answer is a time.
2. Find the question word for it. when asks about a time.
   when = a time
3. Write the question word.
   when

Check. Ask the question: When is lunch? ✓

Watch out. Each question word asks for a different kind of answer.

Key words. Who asks about a person. Where asks about a place. When asks about a time.

Method. Think about the kind of answer we want.

1. Think about the answer. We want to know about a reason.
   The answer is a reason.
2. Find the question word for it. why asks about a reason.
   why = a reason
3. Write the question word.
   why

Check. Ask the question: Why is it wet? ✓

Watch out. Each question word asks for a different kind of answer.

Key words. Who asks about a person. Where asks about a place. When asks about a time.

Method. Think about the kind of answer we want.

1. Think about the answer. We want to know about a thing.
   The answer is a thing.
2. Find the question word for it. what asks about a thing.
   what = a thing
3. Write the question word.
   what

Check. Ask the question: What is that? ✓

Watch out. Each question word asks for a different kind of answer.

Key words. A question word starts a question, like who, what, where, when, why or how.

Method. Think about what the question wants to know, then pick the question word for it.

1. Read the question with the gap. Look at the words after the gap.
   ___ is the library?
2. Think about the answer. where asks about a place.
   Where asks about a place.
3. Write the question word. Start the question with a capital letter.
   Where is the library?

Check. Read the whole question aloud: Where is the library? ✓

Watch out. The question still ends with a question mark.

Key words. A question word starts a question, like who, what, where, when, why or how.

Method. Think about what the question wants to know, then pick the question word for it.

1. Read the question with the gap. Look at the words after the gap.
   ___ is Tom’s birthday?
2. Think about the answer. when asks about a time.
   When asks about a time.
3. Write the question word. Start the question with a capital letter.
   When is Tom’s birthday?

Check. Read the whole question aloud: When is Tom’s birthday? ✓

Watch out. The question still ends with a question mark.

Key words. A question word starts a question, like who, what, where, when, why or how.

Method. Think about what the question wants to know, then pick the question word for it.

1. Read the question with the gap. Look at the words after the gap.
   ___ did you run?
2. Think about the answer. why asks about a reason.
   Why asks about a reason.
3. Write the question word. Start the question with a capital letter.
   Why did you run?

Check. Read the whole question aloud: Why did you run? ✓

Watch out. The question still ends with a question mark.

Key words. A question word starts a question, like who, what, where, when, why or how.

Method. Think about what the question wants to know, then pick the question word for it.

1. Read the question with the gap. Look at the words after the gap.
   ___ many apples are in the bag?
2. Think about the answer. how asks about the way, or how many.
   How asks about the way, or how many.
3. Write the question word. Start the question with a capital letter.
   How many apples are in the bag?

Check. Read the whole question aloud: How many apples are in the bag? ✓

Watch out. The question still ends with a question mark.

Key words. A question word starts a question, like who, what, where, when, why or how.

Method. Think about what the question wants to know, then pick the question word for it.

1. Read the question with the gap. Look at the words after the gap.
   ___ is the ball?
2. Think about the answer. where asks about a place.
   Where asks about a place.
3. Write the question word. Start the question with a capital letter.
   Where is the ball?

Check. Read the whole question aloud: Where is the ball? ✓

Watch out. The question still ends with a question mark.

Method. Check the sentence: does it ask for information, and does it end with a question mark?

1. Read the sentence. Listen to what it asks.
   Where is my hat?
2. Check what it does. It asks where the hat is, so it is a question.
   It asks for information.
3. Check the end mark. A question ends with a question mark.
   Yes. It is a question, and it ends with ?

Check. Read it aloud. It asks for information and ends with a question mark. ✓

Watch out. A sentence with a question word can still be a question without the right mark.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   Yippee ___
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   exclamation mark (!)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Hooray, we won
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Hooray, we won!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Ouch
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Ouch!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   The cat is sleeping
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Add the end mark. The full stop goes straight after the last word.
   The cat is sleeping.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Oh no
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Oh no!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Look at the end of each sentence. Ask what each one does.

1. Read both sentences. Look at the end of each one.
   A: Dogs can run.   B: I got a puppy!
2. Decide what the right one does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Pick the sentence with the right end mark. The other one has the wrong end mark for what it does.
   B: I got a puppy!

Check. Read both out loud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Look at the end of the sentence, and ask what it does.

Method. Think about how Ruby feels when she says it.

1. Read what Ruby says. She is talking about her new bike.
   My new bike is here!
2. Think about her feeling. She is happy and excited, which is a strong feeling.
   She is excited.
3. Write the answer.
   She is excited, so she shows a strong feeling.

Check. Read it aloud with a big smile. It sounds excited. ✓

Watch out. A sentence can be short and still show a strong feeling.

Method. Think about whether the feeling is strong.

1. Read what Tom says. Oh no is said when something goes wrong.
   Oh no
2. Think about the feeling. Saying oh no shows a strong feeling, not a calm one.
   strong feeling
3. Write the answer.
   Yes. Oh no shows a strong feeling.

Check. Say it loudly and then calmly. Only the loud way shows a strong feeling. ✓

Watch out. Oh no is an exclamation, so it needs an exclamation mark.

Method. Choose a word that shows a happy feeling.

1. Think of a happy feeling. Happy feelings can be shown with a cheer.
   happy
2. Choose a word that cheers. Words such as yippee, hooray and wow show a cheer.
   Yippee, Hooray, Wow
3. Add the exclamation mark. Put the ! straight after the word.
   Yippee!

Check. Read it aloud with a big smile. It sounds happy. ✓

Watch out. Use only one exclamation mark after the word.

Method. Think about what the sentence tells us.

1. Read the sentence. It tells us about a bus.
   The bus is red
2. Think about the feeling. Telling us the colour of a bus is not a strong feeling.
   no strong feeling
3. Write the answer.
   It tells something, so it needs a full stop.

Check. Read it aloud calmly. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Do not use an exclamation mark just because the sentence is about something you like.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   We won the match
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   We won the match!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   Can I have a biscuit ___
2. Decide what it does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   question mark (?)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. A question still needs a question mark, even when it is short.

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   I can see the sea ___
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   full stop (.)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   Hooray, we can go out ___
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   exclamation mark (!)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Where did the dog go
2. Decide what it does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Add the end mark. The question mark goes straight after the last word.
   Where did the dog go?

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. A question still needs a question mark, even when it is short.

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   My hat is blue
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Add the end mark. The full stop goes straight after the last word.
   My hat is blue.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Wow, look at that rainbow
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Wow, look at that rainbow!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   The cat is asleep
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Add the end mark. The full stop goes straight after the last word.
   The cat is asleep.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Look at the end of each sentence. Ask what each one does.

1. Read both sentences. Look at the end of each one.
   A: Is it raining?   B: Is it raining.
2. Decide what the right one does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Pick the sentence with the right end mark. The other one has the wrong end mark for what it does.
   A: Is it raining?

Check. Read both out loud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. Look at the end of the sentence, and ask what it does.

Method. Ask what the sentence does, not how long it is.

1. Read the sentence. Listen to what it asks.
   Can we play
2. Decide what it does. It asks if we can play, so it is asking something.
   It is asking.
3. Write the answer. Length does not decide the mark. The job of the sentence does.
   No. It asks something, so it needs a question mark.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. A short sentence can still ask something.

Method. Check what the sentence does, not only the words in it.

1. Read the sentence. It has the word is in it.
   The cat is asleep
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something about the cat. It does not ask anything.
   It is telling.
3. Write the answer. A word like is does not decide the mark by itself.
   No. It tells something, so it needs a full stop.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Look at what the whole sentence does before you choose the mark.

Method. Turn the sentence into a question, then give it a question mark.

1. Read the sentence. It tells us the bus is red.
   The bus is red.
2. Move the word is to the front. A question often puts is before the subject.
   Is the bus red
3. Write it with the right end mark. It now asks something, so it needs a question mark.
   Is the bus red?

Check. Read it aloud. It asks something and ends with a question mark. ✓

Watch out. Changing a sentence into a question can mean moving a word, and changing the end mark.

Key words. A word is a group of letters that we say together, like cat.

Method. Touch each word once. The end mark is not a word.

1. Read the sentence slowly. Listen for the spaces between the words.
   Can you help me?
2. Touch each word as you say it. Each word has a space before it and after it.
   Can · you · help · me
3. Count the words. The number you counted is the number of words.
   4 words

Check. Count again from the last word back to the first. You get 4 again. ✓

Watch out. Do not count the question mark or the exclamation mark as a word.

Key words. A letter is one of the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Method. Say each letter, one at a time, and count them.

1. Say the letters one at a time. Touch each letter once.
   c, a, t
2. Count the letters. Each letter counts as one.
   3 letters
3. Write the answer.
   3

Check. Count again from the end: 3 letters. ✓

Watch out. A letter is one of the 26 letters of the alphabet. Count letters, not sounds.

Method. Think about one cat and more than one cat.

1. Look at the two words. One is about one cat. The other is about more than one.
   cat and cats
2. Decide which one is about one. Singular means one.
   cat = one
3. Write the answer.
   cat

Check. Say it out loud: one cat. ✓

Watch out. The plural ends in -s, so cats is more than one.

Key words. Singular means one. Plural means more than one.

Method. Plural means more than one. Change the word so it means more than one.

1. Start with the word for one. Singular means one.
   one cup
2. Make it mean more than one. Add the ending that makes more than one.
   cup → cups
3. Write the plural.
   cups

Check. Say it out loud: one cup, two cups. ✓

Watch out. Check the ending. Most words add -s. Words ending in x, ch, sh or s add -es, like boxes.

Method. Find the word that means more than one tree.

1. Look at the two words. Only one of them is about more than one tree.
   tree and trees
2. Decide which one is plural. Plural means more than one, and trees ends in -s.
   trees = more than one
3. Write the answer.
   trees

Check. Say it out loud: one tree, two trees. ✓

Watch out. Plural words often end in -s, but not every word does.

Method. Think about which mark asks and which mark shows a strong feeling.

1. Look at the two marks. A question mark asks. An exclamation mark shows a strong feeling.
   ? and !
2. Match the mark to its job. The mark that shows a strong feeling is the exclamation mark.
   ! shows a strong feeling
3. Write the answer.
   exclamation mark (!)

Check. Read the job again: strong feeling, so ! is the mark. ✓

Watch out. Do not mix up the question mark and the exclamation mark.

Method. Count the things in the picture. One thing is singular. More than one is plural.

1. Count the cats. Touch each one once.
   one, two
2. Decide: one or more than one? Two is more than one.
   two cats = more than one
3. Write the answer.
   plural

Check. Say it out loud: two cats. ✓

Watch out. Look at how many there are, not at the colour.

Method. Find the first word and the name in the sentence.

1. Read the sentence. The first word of a sentence has a capital letter.
   Where is Ali?
2. Find the first capital. The first word of the sentence is Where.
   W for Where
3. Find the name. A name of a person has a capital letter too.
   A for Ali

Check. Read it with the two capitals: Where is Ali? ✓

Watch out. Names always have a capital letter, even in the middle of a sentence.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Look at the end of each sentence. Ask what each one does.

1. Read both sentences. Look at the end of each one.
   A: Where is the park?   B: Where is the park.
2. Decide what the right one does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Pick the sentence with the right end mark. The other one has the wrong end mark for what it does.
   A: Where is the park?

Check. Read both out loud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. Look at the end of the sentence, and ask what it does.

Method. Check the end mark. Ask what the sentence does.

1. Read the sentence. Sam is asking someone to help.
   Can you help me
2. Decide what it does. It asks, so it needs a question mark.
   It is asking.
3. Write the fixed sentence. Change the full stop to a question mark.
   The full stop is wrong. It should be a question mark: Can you help me?

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. Check the end mark every time you finish a sentence.

Method. Think about where a sentence begins.

1. Look at the first word. The first word of a sentence starts with a capital.
   Can
2. Check the rest of the words. Only the first word needs a capital, unless it is a name or a day.
   you, help, me are small
3. Write the answer.
   Can is the first word of the sentence.

Check. Read it aloud. Can starts the sentence. ✓

Watch out. Capital letters are for the start of a sentence, and for names, places and days.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Read the sentence first, then decide what it does.

1. Read the sentence, leaving out its end mark. Look at what the words say.
   Where is the cat ___
2. Decide what it does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Name the mark. Each end mark has its own name.
   question mark (?)

Check. Add the mark to the end and read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. A question still needs a question mark, even when it is short.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Wow, look at that big cake
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Wow, look at that big cake!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. A question word starts a question, like who, what, where, when, why or how.

Method. Think about what the question wants to know, then pick the question word for it.

1. Read the question with the gap. Look at the words after the gap.
   ___ did the cake fall?
2. Think about the answer. why asks about a reason.
   Why asks about a reason.
3. Write the question word. Start the question with a capital letter.
   Why did the cake fall?

Check. Read the whole question aloud: Why did the cake fall? ✓

Watch out. The question still ends with a question mark.

Method. Check whether the sentence asks for information.

1. Read the sentence. Listen to what it asks.
   Do you like apples?
2. Check the job. It asks if you like apples, so it is a question.
   It is asking.
3. Write the answer.
   Yes. It is a question.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. A question asks for information, even without a question word.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Look at the end of each sentence. Ask what each one does.

1. Read both sentences. Look at the end of each one.
   A: The sun is up.   B: Hooray, the sun is up!
2. Decide what the right one does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Pick the sentence with the right end mark. The other one has the wrong end mark for what it does.
   B: Hooray, the sun is up!

Check. Read both out loud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Look at the end of the sentence, and ask what it does.

Key words. A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   The bus is late
2. Decide what it does. It tells us something, so it ends with a full stop.
   It is telling something.
3. Add the end mark. The full stop goes straight after the last word.
   The bus is late.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds finished. ✓

Watch out. Most sentences end with a full stop. Do not use a question mark or exclamation mark just because the sentence is short.

Key words. Singular means one. Plural means more than one.

Method. Plural means more than one. Change the word so it means more than one.

1. Start with the word for one. Singular means one.
   one dog
2. Make it mean more than one. Add the ending that makes more than one.
   dog → dogs
3. Write the plural.
   dogs

Check. Say it out loud: one dog, two dogs. ✓

Watch out. Check the ending. Most words add -s. Words ending in x, ch, sh or s add -es, like boxes.

Key words. A word is a group of letters that we say together, like cat.

Method. Touch each word once. The end mark is not a word.

1. Read the sentence slowly. Listen for the spaces between the words.
   Where is my red hat?
2. Touch each word as you say it. Each word has a space before it and after it.
   Where · is · my · red · hat
3. Count the words. The number you counted is the number of words.
   5 words

Check. Count again from the last word back to the first. You get 5 again. ✓

Watch out. Do not count the question mark or the exclamation mark as a word.

Method. Think about what a question mark tells the reader.

1. Think about the reader. A reader sees the mark and knows the sentence is a question.
   A question mark
2. Think about the job. The mark shows the sentence is asking something.
   It shows a question.
3. Write the answer.
   It tells the reader that the sentence is asking something.

Check. Read a sentence with and without the mark. You can see the difference. ✓

Watch out. Without the question mark, the reader does not know the sentence is asking.

Method. Think about the job of a sentence that tells something.

1. Read the job. A sentence that tells something gives information.
   tells
2. Find the mark. A sentence that tells something ends with a full stop.
   tells = full stop
3. Write the answer.
   full stop (.)

Check. Read a sentence that tells something and check it ends with a dot. ✓

Watch out. The full stop is the most common end mark.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Why is the door shut
2. Decide what it does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Add the end mark. The question mark goes straight after the last word.
   Why is the door shut?

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. A question still needs a question mark, even when it is short.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Hooray, the rain has stopped
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Hooray, the rain has stopped!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. Who asks about a person. Where asks about a place. When asks about a time.

Method. Think about the kind of answer we want.

1. Think about the answer. We want to know about a time.
   The answer is a time.
2. Find the question word for it. when asks about a time.
   when = a time
3. Write the question word.
   when

Check. Ask the question: When is lunch? ✓

Watch out. Each question word asks for a different kind of answer.

Key words. A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks something.

Method. Look at the end of each sentence. Ask what each one does.

1. Read both sentences. Look at the end of each one.
   A: Ali is in the bath.   B: Is Ali in the bath?
2. Decide what the right one does. It asks us something, so it ends with a question mark.
   It is asking something.
3. Pick the sentence with the right end mark. The other one has the wrong end mark for what it does.
   B: Is Ali in the bath?

Check. Read both out loud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. Look at the end of the sentence, and ask what it does.

Key words. An exclamation mark (!) ends a sentence that shows a strong feeling.

Method. Decide what the sentence does, then choose its end mark.

1. Read the sentence aloud. Listen to what it is saying.
   Wow
2. Decide what it does. It shows a strong feeling, so it ends with an exclamation mark.
   It is showing a strong feeling.
3. Add the end mark. The exclamation mark goes straight after the last word.
   Wow!

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds excited or strong. ✓

Watch out. Use an exclamation mark only for a strong feeling. Most sentences do not need one.

Key words. Singular means one. Plural means more than one.

Method. Plural means more than one. Change the word so it means more than one.

1. Start with the word for one. Singular means one.
   one bus
2. Make it mean more than one. Add the ending that makes more than one.
   bus → buses
3. Write the plural.
   buses

Check. Say it out loud: one bus, two buses. ✓

Watch out. Check the ending. Most words add -s. Words ending in x, ch, sh or s add -es, like boxes.

Method. Check what the sentence does: does it ask, or does it tell?

1. Read the sentence. It asks where the park is.
   Where is the park?
2. Decide what it does. It asks something, so it needs a question mark.
   It is asking.
3. Write the answer.
   No. It asks something, so it needs a question mark.

Check. Read it aloud. It sounds like a question. ✓

Watch out. Look at what the sentence does, not at the words it has.

Method. Turn the sentence into a question, then add the right end mark.

1. Read the sentence. It tells us Ruby can swim.
   Ruby can swim.
2. Move the word can to the front. A question puts can before the name.
   Can Ruby swim
3. Write the question. It now asks something, so it needs a question mark.
   Can Ruby swim?

Check. Read it aloud. It asks something and ends with a question mark. ✓

Watch out. The question mark replaces the full stop.

Method. Think about the first letter, the question, and the end mark.

1. Look at the first letter. It is small, so it needs a capital.
   can
2. Make the first letter a capital. Write the capital C.
   C
3. Add the end mark. We want to ask, so it needs a question mark.
   Can we play with the ball?

Check. Read it aloud. It starts with a capital and ends with a question mark. ✓

Watch out. Check the start and the end of the sentence.