IGCSE | Reading&Writing

English As A Second Language

Extended Tier | Page 1

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Punctuation

b. The new sports centre provides

snorkelling, parasailing, and scuba diving.
5. To separate appositives or phrases in final
position in a sentence
a. Malaria, once a widespread disease, is
now wiped out.
b. Mr. Malcolm, the new headteacher,
agreed to give the day off to all year 12
students.
c. Modern cars are very different from their
ancestors, implementing the most
advanced luxury technology.
6. With direct address
a. John, please bring the CDs

The full stop

We need a full stop in the following situations:
1. At the end of an independent clause.
a. Arabian traders had found many
wonderful treasures in India.
b. The most precious trading goods are
spices.
2. After abbreviations:
a. p.m. (post meridian)
b. Mon. (Monday)
c. Apr. (April)
3. Decimal numbers:
a. 2.45

The comma

Home Assignment Marking scheme

The comma is the most important punctuation mark after

the full stop. Its main use is for separating parts of
sentences. Commas function in five main ways:
1. After introductory phrase
a. In the morning, all classes start early.
b. According to many people, English is a
very challenging subject.
c. With a little attention, this subject can be
very manageable.
d. Because of adverse weather conditions,
the sailing course has been cancelled
today.
2. After introductory words:
a. However, candidates still take it lightly.
b. Simply, it is just different from other
subjects.
3. After dependent clauses in initial positions
a. Because you need to practise it often,
attending classes is paramount.
b. If one class is missed, the whole chain
falls apart.
4. To separate items in a list
a. Candidates may choose from several
subjects such as English, Math, Spanish,
or Psychology.

4. Edit the following paragraph, adding and

deleting commas as needed. Be sure you know
why you are adding or deleting a comma.
With her mortarboard firmly on her head, Tammy took
her place in the graduation procession which was held
on May 12, 2009. She told her mother Louisa that she
wanted to be the first in the family to get a college
degree which would also help her get a good job. In her
mind, it is either you could get a degree after high school
or you could get a degree later but eventually everyone
in the United States would need a college degree. When
the chance came for her to go to college and pay for
most of it herself, she decided it was a chance she could
not afford to pass up. Each course she took in her
ambitious undergraduate curriculum was another
triumph for her. Another 15 weeks of reading, staying up
late

at

night

writing,

studying

and

sitting

at

uncomfortable desks never scared Tammy. As she

marched off the stage, Tammy clutched the diploma in

IGCSE | Reading&Writing
English As A Second Language

Extended Tier | Page 2

migcse@gmail.com

one hand and hurled her mortarboard into the crowd

to read the newspapers every day, and was about to

with the others. She yelled, Yes! I made it! When she

escape but the people were able to stop him and call the

got through the crowd and reached her family, she

police after they took Mary from his arms. At this

screamed, Mom, I did it!

moment, I was jumping for joy. You know how much I

5. Edit the following letter.

Dear, Kanzy

love that girl. This all happened in what seemed like a

fraction of a second. When I finally could move, I ran out
in my sleeping clothes and hugged Mary until the crowd

Its been eons since I last wrote to you,

freed her from my arms. It was unbelievable.

hasnt it? I know I shouldve written earlier but you know

Well, Ive got to rush now my training is

how hectic things can be around when moving to another

about to start and you know how my outraged my coach

country. Anyways, I decided to break this up and drop

gets when I am late. Im looking forward to the day you

you a word to tell you about something I saw yesterday

visit me. Dont forget to give my best to every in the

which made me have my heart in my mouth.

house and kiss little Emma for me. God bless you

Well, I guess youre on the edge of your

seat to know what made my blood run cold. Ok! Simply
speaking, while I was wandering purposelessly in my bed
room with that little dress which I always wear and my
pink mug full of coffee in my hands, I saw something that
I would never ever forget. I saw our neighbour Mrs Sam,
who we used to sit with all the time, going out of her villa
with her little angel, Marry. While she was talking to her
husband, someone kidnapped the little girl. When that
happened, my heart missed a beat and I couldnt move a
muscle. I wanted to shout out but I couldnt! Finally when
Anna and her husband finally realised that the girl wasnt
there, they panicked. I was still under the shock. I
couldnt believe my eyes.
However, that man only moved approximately 3
meters away from the villa because another man passing
by saw the one who kidnapped poor Marry and he could
finally intercept and stop him. Unfortunately, the man
was drunk and he had a gun which he used to threaten
the people who were gathering to help little Mary. He
shot Mr Mark, the old man who always sits in his balcony

sweetie.
Hugs and kisses