Understanding Ellipses
A Grade 7 ELA worksheet focusing on the proper use of ellipses in writing, including indicating omissions, pauses, and unfinished thoughts.
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Understanding Ellipses
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Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. This worksheet will help you practice using ellipses correctly.
An ellipsis (plural: ellipses) is a series of three dots (...) that indicates an omission of words, a pause in speech, or an unfinished thought. It can be a powerful tool when used correctly.
1. An ellipsis can indicate that words have been from a quotation.
2. When a speaker trails off, an ellipsis can show an thought.
3. An ellipsis can also create a dramatic in writing.
4. Which sentence uses an ellipsis correctly to show an omission?
“The early bird ... the worm.”
“I came, I saw ... I conquered.”
“She said ... I need to go home.”
“The cat sat on the mat ... and purred.”
5. Which sentence uses an ellipsis to show a pause or trailing thought?
“I wonder if ... no, never mind.”
“To be or not to be ... that is the question.”
“The recipe calls for flour, sugar ... and eggs.”
“He read the book from beginning ... to end.”
6. Rewrite the following sentence, using an ellipsis to omit the phrase 'who was very tired'.
Original: The student, who was very tired, finally finished her homework.
7. Imagine you are quoting a long speech. Use an ellipsis to shorten the following quote:
Original: “Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
8. An ellipsis always has exactly three dots, even if it's at the end of a sentence.
True
False
9. It is acceptable to use an ellipsis to change the meaning of a quote.
True
False
10. Write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) describing a suspenseful moment. Use at least one ellipsis to create a pause or an unfinished thought.