Question 1: Identify the purpose of the dashes in the phrase 'bustling with activity' and explain how they contribute to emphasis.

Answer: The dashes set off the phrase, highlighting the city's lively nature and adding emphasis to its vibrancy.

Question 2: Which punctuation mark is used to insert additional information in the sentence about the residents? Briefly explain its function.

Answer: Brackets are used to insert extra information, indicating an aside or clarification without disrupting the main sentence.

Question 3: Choose the correct punctuation to emphasise the phrase: 'change was inevitable' — a dash or brackets? Provide the sentence with your choice.

Answer: a) The city — bustling with activity — was unlike anything she had ever seen.

Question 4: Rewrite the sentence to add emphasis using a dash: 'The tension was unspoken but palpable.'

Answer: The tension — unspoken but palpable — was impossible to ignore.

Question 5: Analyse how the use of dashes in the original passage enhances the tone and mood.

Answer: The dashes create pauses that emphasise key descriptions, adding a reflective tone and highlighting contrasts within the cityscape.

Question 6: Create a short paragraph (about 20 lines) describing an event, using at least two instances of dashes and brackets to emphasise important details.

Answer: Answers will vary; assess for correct punctuation use and coherence.

Question 7: Explain the difference in emphasis between using brackets and dashes in a sentence.

Answer: Dashes create a stronger emphasis and a pause, highlighting the enclosed information, while brackets offer a softer, more discreet insertion.

Question 8: Identify and correct the punctuation error in this sentence: 'She was surprised — but not shocked — to see him.'

Answer: The sentence is correctly punctuated; the dashes are used appropriately for emphasis.

Question 9: Discuss how punctuation choices influence the reader’s perception of the scene in the passage.

Answer: Punctuation such as dashes and brackets guides the reader’s focus, creating pauses that emphasise certain details and shaping the overall mood of vibrancy and tension.