Tshivenda First Additional Language - Term 1 - Week 6

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. In Tshivenda, sentences often start with a capital letter and end with a full stop (.) or a question mark (?). For example, 'Ndi na muthu.' means 'I have a friend.' It's important to use correct punctuation to help the reader understand when a sentence starts and ends.

Let's look at some examples together. If I say 'Ndi a funa u tshimbidza', which means 'I like to play', we can see that it starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop. Now, let's change it to a question: 'Ndi a funa u tshimbidza?' This shows that I am asking something. Notice how the punctuation changes the meaning of the sentence.

Now, let's practice together. I will say a sentence, and you will help me write it on the board. For example, if I say 'Ndi na tshikolo', which means 'I have a school', you will tell me how to write it. Remember to start with a capital letter and end with a full stop. After that, we will create a question from the same sentence. What would it be?

For your independent practice, I want you to write three sentences about your favorite animal. Make sure to start each sentence with a capital letter and end with the correct punctuation. After writing, draw a picture of your animal and label it with one of your sentences. This will help you connect your writing with your drawing.

• Full stop
• Comma
• Question mark
• Exclamation mark

Answer: Question mark

A question mark is used at the end of a sentence that asks something.

• Running fast
• The dog barks.
• Barks loudly
• Fast running

Answer: The dog barks.

This sentence has a subject and a verb, making it complete.

Answer: Punctuation

Punctuation includes marks like full stops and question marks that help clarify sentences.

• the cat is sleeping.
• The cat is sleeping.
• the Cat is sleeping.
• The cat Is sleeping.

Answer: The cat is sleeping.

Only this sentence starts with a capital letter, which is correct.

Answer: I love pizza.

This is an example of a simple sentence that expresses a complete thought.

• To make it look pretty
• To separate words
• To confuse the reader
• To save space

Answer: To separate words

Spacing helps readers understand where one word ends and another begins.

• I like ice cream.
• Do you like ice cream?
• Ice cream is delicious.
• I eat ice cream.

Answer: Do you like ice cream?

This sentence asks something and ends with a question mark.