This post is part of a series relating to the Minimum Standards for Grammar and Punctuation in the NAPLAN tests. For the first post in this series, click here.

At Year 7 level, the students are expected to be able to:

• locate a comma to separate items in a list

This one is relatively simple as it only asks the student to use commas correctly in a list. The rule here is pretty straight forward: commas are used to separate items in a list. Such as:

You need to bring your sleeping bag, torch, compass and some snacks to camp.

or

Things to bring to camp: sleeping bag, torch, compass and some snacks.

The Example Test

To complicate matters, the example test has one question about a list – but not comma placement – and two about comma placement – but not in lists. As a result, it might be beneficial to you and your students to familiarise yourself with all of the rules about comma placement – and colon use as well for that matter.

Once you’ve got the hang of the rules, you can test yourself with the Eats, Shoots and Leaves book tie-in game, Save the Comma.

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