Punctuation · End Marks
Every sentence ends in exactly one of three marks
A sentence must close with a full stop (.), a question mark (?) or an exclamation mark (!). Choosing the right one is about what the sentence is doing — telling, asking, or showing strong feeling. In Stage 1 you pick the correctly punctuated version. Learn the four sentence types below.
Rule 1 Statements end in a full stop
A sentence that tells you something (a statement) ends in a full stop.
The sun is shining. · We had pasta for tea. · My brother is seven. ✓
Commands (telling someone to do something calmly) also usually end in a full stop: Close the door.
Rule 2 Questions end in a question mark
A sentence that asks something ends in a question mark.
What time is it? · Are you coming? · Why is the sky blue? ✓
Clue words often start questions: who, what, where, when, why, how, is, are, do, can, will.
Rule 3 Exclamations end in an exclamation mark
A sentence showing strong feeling — surprise, excitement, fear, anger — ends in an exclamation mark.
What a goal! · How amazing that is! · Look out! · I can't believe it! ✓
True exclamation sentences often start with What or How (without asking a question).
Rule 4 "What" and "How" can be tricky
Look at the whole sentence, not just the first word — What and How can begin a question OR an exclamation.
What is your name? (asking — question mark) ✓
What a lovely surprise! (feeling — exclamation mark) ✓
Test: if the sentence expects an answer, it's a question; if it just shows feeling, it's an exclamation.
Rule 5 Common mistakes to avoid
Never use more than one end mark (no "!!!" or "?!"). A statement that simply mentions a question is still a statement.
She asked what the time was. (a statement about asking — full stop, not ?) ✓
It was raining. ✓ not It was raining? ✗
The 30-second method
How to crack any end-mark MCQ fast
- Read the sentence aloud in your head — does your voice go up (asking) or stay level (telling)?
- Is it asking something? → question mark. Look for who/what/where/why/is/are/can.
- Does it show strong feeling? → exclamation mark. Often starts What…! or How…!
- Otherwise it's a statement → full stop. This is the most common answer.
- Reject double marks (?!, !!) and a capital letter mid-sentence — both are traps.
10 worked examples
Read the sentence, then the answer with the rule that solves it.
1. The kettle is boiling ___
full stop. It tells us something — a statement (Rule 1).
2. Where are my shoes ___
question mark? It asks something (Rule 2).
3. Watch out for that car ___
exclamation mark! It shows alarm — strong feeling (Rule 3).
4. What is the capital of France ___
question mark? "What" here is asking (Rule 4).
5. What a wonderful day ___
exclamation mark! "What" here shows feeling (Rule 4).
6. Please pass the salt ___
full stop. A calm command ends in a full stop (Rule 1).
7. How do plants grow ___
question mark? "How" here is asking (Rule 4).
8. How brave you are ___
exclamation mark! "How" here shows feeling (Rule 4).
9. She wondered if it would rain ___
full stop. It mentions a question but is itself a statement (Rule 5).
10. We won the cup ___
full stop or exclamation mark — a full stop if calmly telling; an exclamation if excited. Read the tone (Rules 1 & 3).