Original BandLadder material
Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.
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The first 3 of 9 cards
a comma can't do a full stop's job
Punctuation shows where each idea starts and stops. When a boundary is wrong, sentences run into one another.
Many pupils cycle now, the roadscomma can't join are safer. Some still walk however it'however' can't join takes longer. Because the school is close.half a sentence
Writing band descriptors 3-9 mention punctuation.
can each side stand alone?
'However' can't join: use ; or . before it.
what each one is for
| Mark | Its job | Example |
|---|---|---|
| comma | follows an opener | Although fares rose, … |
| semicolon | links two close sentences | Fares rose; demand fell. |
| colon | opens a list or reason | Two things rose: fares and rents. |
| apostrophe | owner or missing letter | students' fees, it's |
Its = belonging to it. It's = it is or it has. Plain plurals take no apostrophe: photos.
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