Language Standards: Capitalization, Punctuation, and Spelling in Grade 2 Writing (CCSS.L.3.2)

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Common Core 3rd Grade ELA › Language Standards: Capitalization, Punctuation, and Spelling in Grade 2 Writing (CCSS.L.3.2)

Questions 1 - 10
1

Our teacher asked us to write a short report about an adventure book. I chose a story about kids who explore a hidden valley and meet friendly animals. I wrote the title on my paper as journey to the blue forest. Before I turn it in, I want to fix the title so it is capitalized the right way.

Which title shows correct capitalization?

Journey to the Blue Forest

Journey To The Blue Forest

Journey to the blue forest

journey to the blue forest

Explanation

Capitalize the first and last words and important words; keep short words like to and the lowercase unless first or last. B capitalizes short words, C misses Blue and Forest, and D has no capitals.

2

When we finished cleaning the garage, Dad smiled at me. He handed me a small box and said lets plant these seeds in the garden. I knew he wanted to work together before the rain came. I want to write that sentence in my journal with the right punctuation for dialogue.

Which sentence correctly punctuates the dialogue?

Dad said "Let's plant these seeds in the garden".

Dad said, Let's plant these seeds in the garden.

Dad said, "Let's plant these seeds in the garden."

Dad said, "Let's plant these seeds in the garden".

Explanation

Use a comma after the tag and put the spoken words in quotation marks with the period inside. A is missing the comma and puts the period outside, B wrongly quotes the tag, and D puts the period outside.

3

Our class is collecting warm clothing to donate. I brought two of my brother jackets, but the sleeves were too short for me. Then I found a hat that belonged to Mia. I also packed the dog blanket from our porch. I want to fix the sentence about my brother so the possessive is written correctly.

Which revision correctly shows the possessive?

two of my brothers jackets

two of my brother's jackets

two of my brothers' jackets

two of my brother's jacket

Explanation

For a single owner, add apostrophe-s: brother's. A is missing the apostrophe, C means more than one brother, and D doesn't match the plural jackets.

4

Our school held an art fair in the gym today. I worked hard on a painting of a bright sunset over a lake. When the judges announced the ribbons, my name was called for first place. I felt a rush of ____ as my classmates clapped and my family waved from the bleachers. I want to spell that word correctly.

Which word correctly completes the sentence?

happyness

happines

happies

happiness

Explanation

For words ending in y after a consonant, change y to i and add -ness: happy → happiness. The other options are common misspellings or the wrong word form.

5

I am making a poster for our reading corner. On it, I want to share a book I loved and a short summary. My teacher said the title should look neat and follow the rules. Titles capitalize the first and last words and all important words, but not little words like of or the unless they start or end the title. I wrote the title in big letters and asked my partner to check it.

Which title is capitalized correctly?

The Mystery of the Hidden Map

The Mystery Of the Hidden Map

The mystery of the hidden map

The Mystery of the Hidden map

Explanation

Capitalize the first, last, and all important words in titles; lowercase short words like of and the unless first/last. A follows the rule. B wrongly capitalizes Of. C leaves important words lowercase. D lowercases the last word.

6

For our class picnic, I wrote invitations. I need to include the park's address so families can find us. Right now my draft says: Please meet us at 42 Pine Street Springfield Ohio. My teacher reminded me to use commas in addresses so the parts are clear. I want the sentence to look right before I copy it onto the cards.

Which sentence uses commas correctly in the address?

Please send your reply to 42 Pine Street Springfield Ohio.

Please send your reply to 42 Pine Street, Springfield Ohio.

Please send your reply to 42 Pine Street, Springfield, Ohio.

Please send your reply to 42, Pine Street, Springfield, Ohio.

Explanation

Use commas between the street and city, and between the city and state. C has both commas. A has none. B is missing the comma between city and state. D adds an incorrect comma after the house number.

7

During writing workshop, I added dialogue to my story. In one scene, Ben asks his mom a question. I typed the sentence without punctuation first: Ben said can we go to the park after lunch. Now I need to add the comma and quotation marks so readers know exactly what Ben said. I'm choosing the best way to write it.

Which revision correctly adds commas and quotation marks to the sentence?

Ben said can we go to the park after lunch?

Ben said, "Can we go to the park after lunch?"

Ben said, "Can we go to the park after lunch"?

Ben said "Can we go to the park after lunch"?

Explanation

Put a comma after said, place the spoken words in quotation marks, and keep the question mark inside the quote. B does all three. A has no comma or quotes. C puts quotation marks in the wrong places. D is missing the comma and the question mark is outside the quote.

8

After playing outside, our dog ran in and knocked over the water bowl. At the same time, several kids kicked off their shoes by the door. I am cleaning up and writing labels for a picture. I need to show who the bowl belongs to and that the shoes belong to more than one kid. I will choose the sentence that uses possessives correctly.

Which sentence correctly uses possessive nouns?

The dogs bowl was empty, and the kids shoes were muddy.

The dog's bowl was empty, and the kid's shoes were muddy.

The dogs' bowl was empty, and the kids shoes were muddy.

The dog's bowl was empty, and the kids' shoes were muddy.

Explanation

Use 's for a singular owner and s' for a plural owner. D shows one dog's bowl (dog's) and shoes belonging to more than one kid (kids'). A has no apostrophes. B makes kid singular. C makes dogs plural possessive even though only one dog is meant.

9

During library time, I decided to make a colorful cover for my space report. I chose the title a trip to the moon because I love looking at the night sky. I sketched a rocket and some stars, then I left a blank space for the title at the top. Before I glue it on, I want to be sure the title is capitalized the right way.

Which choice shows the title capitalized correctly?

A trip to the moon

A Trip To The Moon

A Trip to the Moon

A Trip to the moon

Explanation

Capitalize the first and last words and important words in titles; do not capitalize short prepositions like to. C follows this. A doesn't capitalize important words, B wrongly capitalizes to, and D leaves moon lowercase.

10

Ben is writing invitations for his birthday party. He wants to include the address so everyone can find his house easily. On the card he wrote 742 Pine Street Springfield Illinois, but it looks crowded without commas. He also plans to add the time and a little drawing of balloons. Before he prints the cards, Ben asks his sister to check the address line and make sure the commas are in the right places.

Which line shows the address with commas used correctly?

742 Pine Street, Springfield, Illinois

742 Pine Street Springfield, Illinois

742 Pine Street, Springfield Illinois

742, Pine Street, Springfield, Illinois

Explanation

Use commas between the street and city, and between the city and state. A is correct. B and C each miss one comma, and D adds an extra comma after the street number.

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