✨ Capitalization Rules: Bulleted and Numbered Lists
When we write information in a list (with bullets • or numbers 1, 2, 3…), we need to decide whether to capitalize the first word of each item. The rule depends on whether the list items are full sentences or just short phrases.
🟢 Rule 1: Full Sentence Items → Capitalize the First Word
If each item in the list is a complete sentence, then the first word must be capitalized.
Examples:
Numbered list:
Read the passage carefully.
Answer all the questions.
Check your work before handing it in.
Bulleted list:
Always wash your hands before eating.
Bring your homework to class.
Respect your classmates.
👉 Each item is a full sentence, so the first word is capitalized.
🟡 Rule 2: Phrase Fragments → Lowercase in Informal Contexts
If the list items are not full sentences (just short phrases or fragments), then you can keep the first word lowercase in informal writing. But in formal writing (like exams, school projects, or published work), it’s better to capitalize the first word.
Examples:
Informal style (lowercase acceptable):
apples, bananas, and oranges
pencils, erasers, and rulers
running, jumping, swimming
Formal style (capitalize for clarity):
Apples, bananas, and oranges
Pencils, erasers, and rulers
Running, jumping, swimming
👉 Both styles are correct, but formal settings prefer capitalization.
🧩 Mixed Examples
Sometimes lists combine sentences and fragments. In that case, follow the rule for each type:
Bring three things:
Water bottle (fragment → lowercase or capitalized depending on style)
Snacks (fragment)
Read the instructions carefully. (full sentence → capitalized)
🔄 American vs. British English Differences
The rules for capitalization in lists are the same in American and British English. The difference is mostly in punctuation style:
Feature
American English
British English
Capitalization in lists
Same rules: capitalize full sentences, lowercase fragments in informal writing
Same rules
Punctuation at the end of list items
Often uses periods for full sentences
Sometimes omits periods unless needed for clarity
Informal fragments
Lowercase acceptable
Lowercase acceptable
Example:
American English (formal):
Read the passage carefully.
Answer all the questions.
British English (informal):
read the passage carefully
answer all the questions
👉 Both styles are correct, but exams and formal writing in both countries prefer capitalization.
🧪 Practice Sentences
Decide whether the first word should be capitalized:
bring a pencil
Bring a pencil
wash your hands before lunch
Wash your hands before lunch
Answers:
#1 is informal (lowercase acceptable).
#2 is formal (capitalized).
#3 is incorrect (should be capitalized because it’s a full sentence).
#4 is correct (capitalized full sentence).
🎯 Summary
Full sentence items → Capitalize the first word.
Phrase fragments → lowercase in informal writing, capitalize in formal/exam settings.
American and British English follow the same capitalization rules, with small differences in punctuation style.
Sometimes we use parentheses ( ) or dashes (—) in our writing. These marks add extra information, show pauses, or make our sentences more interesting. But how do we know whether to capitalize the words that come after them? Let’s learn the rules step by step.
🟢 Rule 1: Inside a Sentence → Keep Lowercase
If the words inside the parentheses are not a complete sentence, then the first word stays lowercase.
Examples:
She studies English (every evening) to improve.
We went to the park (with our friends) after school.
The dog barked loudly (at the stranger) in the yard.
He likes fruit (especially mangoes) in summer.
👉 Notice how the words inside the parentheses are just extra details, not full sentences. So they stay lowercase.
🟡 Rule 2: Parentheses with a Full Sentence → Capitalize
If the words inside the parentheses form a complete sentence, then the first word is capitalized. Also, the sentence inside the parentheses ends with its own punctuation mark.
Examples:
(She studies every evening.) Her progress shows.
I love reading. (Books are my favorite hobby.)
We played football. (It was so much fun!)
She was late. (Her bus broke down.)
👉 Here, the parentheses contain full sentences, so the first word is capitalized.
🟠 Rule 3: After an Em Dash → Capitalize Only if It Begins a New Sentence
An em dash (—) is a long dash used to show a pause or break in thought.
If the words after the dash are part of the same sentence, keep them lowercase.
If the words after the dash begin a new sentence, capitalize the first word.
Examples:
She paused—then she spoke clearly. (same sentence → lowercase)
He was nervous—but he kept trying. (same sentence → lowercase)
She paused—Then she spoke clearly. (new sentence → capitalized)
He looked around—The room was empty. (new sentence → capitalized)
👉 The trick is to ask: Is this a new sentence? If yes, capitalize. If not, keep lowercase.
🔄 American vs. British English Differences
Good news! The capitalization rules for parentheses and dashes are the same in both American and British English.
The main difference is in style:
American English often uses the em dash (—) without spaces: She paused—Then she spoke.
British English sometimes uses an en dash (–) with spaces: She paused – then she spoke.
But the capitalization rules stay the same:
Lowercase if it’s part of the same sentence.
Capitalize if it starts a new sentence or is a proper noun.
🧩 Practice Sentences
Try to decide if the word after the parentheses or dash should be capitalized:
She studies math (every day) to improve.
(she studies every day.) Her progress shows.
He was tired—he went to bed early.
He was tired—He went to bed early.
We played outside (until it got dark).
(It started raining.) We ran inside.
Answers:
lowercase (every)
capitalized (She) – full sentence in parentheses
lowercase (he) – same sentence after dash
capitalized (He) – new sentence after dash
lowercase (until) – phrase in parentheses
capitalized (It) – full sentence in parentheses
🎯 Summary
Parentheses inside a sentence → lowercase.
Parentheses with a full sentence → capitalize.
After an em dash → lowercase if same sentence, capitalize if new sentence.
American vs. British English → Same rules, only dash style differs.
Test your knowledge of English capitalization rules with this interactive quiz! Learn why the first word in every sentence must be capitalized, explore common mistakes, and practice with clear examples. Capitalization Quiz
✨ Face the challenge
Q1. What should happen after a period in a sentence?
Q2. Which sentence is correctly capitalized?
Q3. What is end punctuation?
Q4. Choose the correct sentence:
Q5. Which sentence shows correct capitalization after a question mark?
Complete the passage by choosing the correct words from the dropdown menus.
Yesterday, I was playing in our home garden with my friends. We were very and were hitting the ball hard. Suddenly, one of the balls flew over the garden fence and hit the of our neighbour’s house. The glass broke with a loud . My neighbour came out immediately and looked very . I felt very because I knew it was my fault. My neighbour wanted to complain to my .
I ran to my neighbour and said politely. I explained that it was an and that I did not mean to break the window. I promised to take and fix the problem. Then, I went home and told my everything. My parents agreed to help. Together, we went to our neighbour and offered to pay for the broken window. My neighbour smiled and accepted our .
After that, we learned an important . We decided to play cricket in a place where we cannot cause any damage. My neighbour was happy that we admitted our and solved the problem responsibly. I felt proud because I had learned to take responsibility for my actions.
The G.C.E. Ordinary Level English Exam is a key milestone for Sri Lankan students 🎓. Success requires consistent practice 💪, and this page offers English Past Paper Test 16.4 (2022/2023) to help you sharpen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills through interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises.
📚 What You’ll Find Here
✨ Fill-in-the-Blank Activity – Practice choosing the right words to complete sentences.
🧐 Grammar & Vocabulary Focus – Strengthen sentence structure and word choice.
✅ Instant Answer Checking – Get immediate feedback to track your progress.
🎯 Exam-Focused Content – Aligned with the O/L English syllabus for maximum relevance with English past paper
🎓 Why Practice This Test?
📈 Boost Confidence – Familiarize yourself with exam-style questions.
🕒 Improve Speed – Practice under timed conditions ⏳.
🧠 Sharpen Skills – Strengthen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
🏆 Achieve Success – Every small practice step brings you closer to exam success.
💡 Tips for Students
📖 Read carefully before filling blanks.
✍️ Think about context—choose words that make sense in the sentence.
⏳ Practice regularly to build fluency.
📌 Review mistakes and learn from them.
🎉 Final Note (English past paper)
This Test 16.4 resource is your path to exam readiness 🌟. Keep practising, stay motivated, and remember—every effort counts towards your achievement 🏅.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad – Fill in the Blanks
Complete the passage by choosing the correct words from the dropdown menus.
Studying in a foreign country can be a very experience. There are many . First, students get better because some schools and universities have modern facilities and well-experienced teachers. Second, students can meet people from different . They learn about different ways of life, , and languages. This helps them to share experiences and make new friends. Third, studying abroad teaches students to work . They learn to take care of themselves, manage their time, and solve on their own.
However, there are also some . Being away from can make students feel lonely and homesick. They may miss their parents, siblings, and friends back home. Some students may also experience problems with the if it is very different from their own country. For example, they may find it too cold or too hot. Another problem is that students may feel reluctant to return to their own after enjoying a foreign lifestyle.
In conclusion, studying in a foreign country has both advantages and disadvantages. It gives students valuable , new friendships, and independence. But it also brings challenges like being away from family and adjusting to new . Despite the difficulties, many students find the experience very and .
The G.C.E. Ordinary Level English Exam is a major milestone for Sri Lankan students 🎓. To succeed, consistent practice is essential 💪. This page features Past Paper Test 16.3 (2022/2023), designed to help you strengthen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension through interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises.
📚 What You’ll Find Here
✨ Fill-in-the-Blank Activity – Practice choosing the right words to complete sentences.
🧐 Grammar & Vocabulary Focus – Improve sentence structure and word choice.
✅ Instant Answer Checking – Get immediate feedback to track your progress.
🎯 Exam-Focused Content – Aligned with the O/L English syllabus for maximum relevance.
🎓 Why Practice This Test?
📈 Boost Confidence – Familiarize yourself with exam-style questions.
🕒 Improve Speed – Practice under timed conditions ⏳.
🧠 Sharpen Skills – Strengthen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
🏆 Achieve Success – Every small practice step brings you closer to exam success.
💡 Tips for Students
📖 Read carefully before filling blanks.
✍️ Think about context—choose words that make sense in the sentence.
⏳ Practice regularly to build fluency.
📌 Review mistakes and learn from them.
🎉 Final Note
This Test 16.3 resource is your path to exam readiness 🌟. Keep practising, stay motivated, and remember—every effort counts towards your achievement 🏅.
Complete the speech by selecting the correct words from the dropdown menus.
Good morning everyone,
My name is , and I am very happy to be here representing my country, . Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the . It is called the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” because of its natural beauty, friendly people, and rich .
In Sri Lanka, we have many interesting customs and traditions. We respect our elders, and families often celebrate together. One of our biggest festivals is , celebrated in April with games, sweets, and special rituals. Another important festival is , which celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Buddha.
Sri Lanka is also famous for its attractive and historical places. We have beautiful like Unawatuna and Bentota. There are ancient cities such as and Polonnaruwa. Our is a world-famous site that shows the skill of ancient architects.
I am proud to share that Sri Lanka is a land of . Our country welcomes visitors with warm hearts, delicious food, and colorful festivals. Thank you for listening.
The G.C.E. Ordinary Level English Exam is a vital milestone for Sri Lankan students 🎓. To succeed, consistent practice is key 💪. This page features Past Paper Test 16.2 (2022/2023), designed to help you strengthen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension through interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises.
📚 What You’ll Find Here
✨ Fill-in-the-Blank Activity – Practice choosing the right words to complete sentences.
🧐 Grammar & Vocabulary Focus – Improve sentence structure and word choice.
✅ Instant Answer Checking – Get immediate feedback to track your progress.
🎯 Exam-Focused Content – Aligned with the O/L English syllabus for maximum relevance.
🎓 Why Practice This Test?
📈 Boost Confidence – Familiarize yourself with exam-style questions.
🕒 Improve Speed – Practice under timed conditions ⏳.
🧠 Sharpen Skills – Strengthen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
🏆 Achieve Success – Every small practice step brings you closer to exam success.
💡 Tips for Students
📖 Read carefully before filling blanks.
✍️ Think about context—choose words that make sense in the sentence.
⏳ Practice regularly to build fluency.
📌 Review mistakes and learn from them.
🎉 Final Note
This Test 16.2 resource is your path to exam readiness 🌟. Keep practicing, stay motivated, and remember—every effort counts towards your achievement 🏅.
Importance of Outdoor Activities — Fill in the Blanks
Outdoor activities are very important for students. These activities include
, games, and joining clubs or school
. For example, we can play
, cricket, badminton, or participate in a
or science association.
Outdoor activities help students in many ways. First, they help us
our talents and skills. For instance, playing football improves teamwork and running, while a nature club teaches us to observe and study
and animals. Second, these activities help us
challenges. When we play a game or take part in competitions, we learn how to solve problems and stay calm in difficult situations. Third, outdoor activities
our personality.
I have joined the school football team and a science club. Playing football has taught me teamwork and
. In the science club, I learned to work carefully and complete experiments with
.
The benefits of outdoor activities are many. They make us strong, healthy, and active. They also help us make new friends and enjoy our school life. I feel happier and more confident because of these activities. Every student should take part in outdoor activities to learn new skills and enjoy life outside the classroom.
The G.C.E. Ordinary Level English Exam is a crucial step for Sri Lankan students 🎓. Success comes with consistent practice 💪, and this page offers Past Paper Test 16.1 (2022/2023) to help you sharpen comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary skills through interactive exam-style exercises.
📚 What You’ll Find Here
✨ Reading Comprehension Passage – Strengthen your ability to understand and analyze text.
🧐 Grammar & Vocabulary Practice – Improve sentence structure and word choice.
✅ Instant Answer Checking – Get immediate feedback to track your progress.
🎯 Exam-Focused Content – Aligned with the O/L English syllabus for maximum relevance.
🎓 Why Practice Past Papers?
📈 Boost Confidence – Familiarize yourself with exam-style questions.
🕒 Improve Speed – Practice under timed conditions ⏳.
🧠 Sharpen Skills – Strengthen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
🏆 Achieve Success – Every small practice step brings you closer to exam success.
💡 Tips for Students
📖 Read the passage carefully before answering.
✍️ Eliminate wrong options to narrow down choices.
⏳ Practice regularly to build fluency.
📌 Review mistakes and learn from them.
🎉 Final Note
This Test 16.1 resource is your path to exam readiness 🌟. Keep practising, stay motivated, and remember—every effort counts towards your achievement 🏅.
‘Tom!’ The old lady put on her glasses and looked about for him. ‘Tom!’ she called out again, but there was no response. She walked up to the open door and looked out in the garden for him. Just then she heard a noise behind her and she turned around to find Tom sneaking out of the large cupboard in the room. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
‘So that’s where you were!’ she said. ‘How many times have I told you to keep your fingers out of my jam jars. I will teach you a lesson this time.’ With that she marched him over to the umbrella stand next to the door and pulled out a cane. Tom knew he was going to get it and he had to think up something very quickly.
‘Look out Aunt Polly! There is a rat in the closet.’ He shouted. The old lady shrieked and let go of Tom’s collar. Before she discovered the imaginary rat, Tom ran out of the door and disappeared over the fence.
‘I guess, I will never learn, this boy seems to have a new trick up his sleeve each time I try to get him.’ That evening Tom got late coming home and he decided to climb through the window rather than use the front door. As he climbed through the window, he found Aunt Polly waiting for him. ‘Ah! So you found time to come back!’ She said. ‘Aunt Polly I ……………………….’ ‘No! don’t answer me, I can see that you have been busy, I guess since it is past dinner time you would not be hungry, so wash yourself and go to sleep.’ With that she closed the door and walked out of the room with a firm resolve that she would teach him a lesson the next day.
(Adapted from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer)
Answer the Questions — Tom Sawyer
(1) True or False
(a) The old lady thought that Tom was in the garden.
(b) Tom came out of the cupboard as there was a rat in it.
(c) Aunt Polly was looking for Tom to give him a jam jar.
(d) Tom knew that Aunt Polly was frightened of rats.
(2) Aunt Polly wanted to punish Tom because he
(3) Tom was
(4) Aunt Polly understood that Tom
(5) Find a word/phrase from the passage that is closest in meaning to each of the following: (a) walking out very quietly –
(b) screamed or cried in a loud manner –
(6) Find the most suitable sentence from the passage that shows Aunt Polly was going to punish Tom:(complete sentence)
Read the description of the bar chart and fill in the blanks with suitable words.
The bar chart shows the places that Grade 11 students of Nilwala Central College like to visit. There are five places in the chart. They are
,
,
the ,
, and
“.”
According to the chart, are the most popular place.
students like to visit them.
The is also a popular place, and
students have chosen it.
The is liked by 20 students, and this shows that many students enjoy going there. Religious places are chosen by 18 students, so not as many students like to visit them as the other places.
Only 6 students said they would like to visit any of the places, and this is the least popular choice.
The chart clearly shows that most students prefer natural places like national parks and the hill country.
The G.C.E. Ordinary Level English Exam is a big milestone for Sri Lankan students 🎓. Success comes with practice 💪, and this page offers Past Paper Test 14.2 (2022/2023) to help you strengthen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension through interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises.
📚 What You’ll Find Here
✨ Fill-in-the-Blank Activity – Practice choosing the right words to complete sentences.
🧐 Grammar & Vocabulary Focus – Improve sentence structure and word choice.
✅ Instant Answer Checking – Get immediate feedback to track your progress.
🎯 Exam-Focused Content – Aligned with the O/L English syllabus for maximum relevance.
🎓 Why Practice This Test?
📈 Boost Confidence – Familiarize yourself with exam-style questions.
🕒 Improve Speed – Practice under timed conditions ⏳.
🧠 Sharpen Skills – Strengthen grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
🏆 Achieve Success – Every small practice step brings you closer to exam success.
💡 Tips for Students
📖 Read carefully before filling blanks.
✍️ Think about context—choose words that make sense in the sentence.
⏳ Practice regularly to build fluency.
📌 Review mistakes and learn from them.
🎉 Final Note
This Test 14.2 resource is your path to exam readiness 🌟. Keep practicsing, stay motivated, and remember—every effort counts towards your achievement 🏅.
