English 2017

Year 5-6 English Grammar

and Punctuation
Test Paper
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 2

Question
Question and Answer Marks
Number

1a Circle the three words in the sentence that need an apostrophe

Since the accident, my Grans dog now only has three legs, so he cant run very quickly and
G5 1
doesnt chase possums anymore.

Notes: Award one mark for all three words circled.

Grammar Focus- G5. To understand the basic rules of apostrophes.

1b Pick one of the words that you have circled. Explain why it needs an apostrophe

Possible answers-
G5 Gran’s – to show possession 1
can’t or doesn’t- to show a contraction/ omission

Notes: Award one mark for a correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G5. To understand the basic rules of apostrophes.

2 Underline all the co-ordinating conjunctions.

I have a headache and I feel quite dizzy.

G1 Jane scored the penalty so her team won the match. 1
People loved to watch Charlie, for he was a wonderful dancer.

Notes: Award one mark for all three co-ordinating conjunctions underlined.
Grammar Focus- G1. To recognise co-ordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).

3 Which pair of verbs correctly completes the sentence below?

had were have were

G4 1
is was had was

Notes: Award one mark for a correct answer.
Grammar Focus- G4. To assess verb tense consistency.

4 Rewrite the words with the correct prefix words in the spaces provided.

G5 The words should read irreplaceable and inconsolable. 1

Notes: Award one mark if both answers are correct.

Grammar Focus- G5. To add prefixes to show a wide vocabulary.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 3

5 Which sentence below is written in present progressive tense? Tick one.

Vicki and Sam are running for the bus.


Mum was reading the newspaper.
G4 1
Ryan has drawn a picture of his house.

The athletes were taking part in the long jump.

Notes: Award one mark for a correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G4. To identify the present progressive form and their knowledge of this term.

6 Tick the sentences that must end in a question mark. Tick two.

Tomorrow, I’ll invite my friends for tea

Do you prefer pizza or pasta

G2  1
I went to the shop, but they were sold out

You’ll be at my house for 5pm, won’t you


Notes: Award one mark if both the correct question sentences are ticked.
Grammar Focus- G2. To recognise the grammatical patterns which indicate questions and the correct use of question
marks. Pupils will need to recognise that question tags can be used to form questions in order to answer this question
correctly.

7 Tick the option that shows how the underlined words are used in the sentence.

as a main clause

as a noun phrase
G3 1
as a prepositional phrase

as a relative clause

Notes: Award one mark for a correct answer.
Grammar Focus- G3. To identify a relative clause and show knowledge of this term.

8a Underline the words which show that the sentences below are written in Non-Standard English.

Nick should of done more practise for the marathon.

G7 1
He couldn’t go on no more.

Notes: Award just one mark for all correctly underlined words.
Grammar Focus- G7. To recognise Non-Standard English forms and correct them to form Standard
English sentences.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 4

8b Rewrite the sentences above in Standard English.

Nick should have done more practise for the marathon.

G7 1
He couldn’t go on anymore.

Notes: Award just one mark for both sentences re-written in Standard English.
Grammar Focus- G7. To recognise Non-Standard English forms and correct them to form Standard
English sentences.

9 Sort the words below into the correct word class columns:

Verb Adverb Adjective Preposition

G1 wept yesterday lovely beside 2

take nervously healthy into

Notes: Award two marks for all eight answers in the correct columns.
Award one mark for 6 or 7 answers in the correct columns.
Grammar Focus- G1. To recognise different word classes.

10 Write down whether each sentence is a statement, question or command:

Put your coats on. command

G2 In the winter, the sun goes down earlier. statement 1
When it gets dark, turn on the lights. command

Notes: Award one mark for all three sentences identified correctly.
Grammar Focus- G2. To recognise command and statement sentences.

11 Draw lines to match each phrase to its correct type.

the vast, blue ocean Adverbial phrase

G3 1
under the sea Prepositional phrase

as quick as a flash Noun phrase

Notes: Award one mark for all three correctly-drawn lines.

Grammar Focus- G3. To identify noun, adverbial and prepositional phrases, and knowledge of these terms.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 5

12 Circle the two words in the sentences below that are antonyms of each other.

Unfortunately, the presentation that Tom gave was disastrous. In his rehearsal, his
G6 1
performance had been much more successful.

Notes: Award one mark for the two correctly circled words.
Grammar Focus- G6. To understand the term antonym as words with opposite meanings.

13 Underline the pronoun the writer uses to refer back to the aliens, adding cohesion to his sentence.

Running from the spaceship, James sped away from the aliens but there was no way he
G1 1
would be able to outrun them.

Notes: Award one mark for the correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G1. To understand and recognise pronouns, and how they are used to add cohesion to sentences/
paragraphs.

14 Read the sentence below and underline the subordinate clause.

G3 As they were busy, they completely forgot to take the cake out of the oven. 1

Notes: Award one mark for the correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G3. To recognise subordinate clauses.

15 Insert a pair of brackets in the correct place in the sentence below.

G5 Rome (which is the capital city of Italy) is home to some very famous landmarks. 1

Notes: Award one mark for the correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G5. To use brackets to demarcate parenthesis/ relative clauses.

16 Write one other word that belongs to this word family in the box.

Possible answers:
G6 1
trespass, passenger, underpass, impassive, compass, etc.

Notes: Award one mark for any word that uses ‘pass’ as its root word
Grammar Focus- G6. To use prefixes and suffixes to build words with the same root.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 6

17 Re-write these active sentences using the passive voice.

Possible answers:
G4 The banana is being eaten by Chris. 2
In the tree, a nest was being built by the sparrow

Notes: Award one mark for each passive sentence.

Grammar Focus- G4. To recognise the terms active and passive, and be able to re-write sentences in the opposing voice.

Write one sentence that lists everything Sheila bought from the shop. Make sure you use the correct
18
punctuation.

Possible answer:
G5 1
Sheila went to the shop and bought eggs, butter, frozen peas and beef crisps.

Notes: Award one mark for any grammatically correct sentence that uses commas in a list.
Grammar Focus- G5. To use commas correctly within list sentences.

19 Circle the subject and underline the object in each sentence below.

The lion attacked the helpless gazelle.

G1 My Grandpa watches cricket. 2
The trees were blown by the wind.

Notes: Award two marks for all the subjects and objects identified correctly.
Award one mark for the correct identification within two of the sentences.
Grammar Focus- G1. To identify subjects and objects correctly, including within passive sentences.

20 Explain how the comma changes the meaning.

Possible answer:

G5 The first sentence insinuates that Ken shouldn’t forget to pay (as though someone where 1
talking directly to Ken himself), and the second sentence implies that Ken is the one owed
money.

Notes: Award one mark for any suitable explanation that refers to the fact that the first sentence insinuates that Ken
shouldn’t forget to pay (as though someone where talking directly to Ken himself), and the second sentence implies that Ken
is the one owed money.
Grammar Focus- G5. To understand how commas can clarify or change the meaning of a sentence.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 7

Tick one box in each row to show whether the word before is used as a subordinating conjunction or
21
as a preposition.

before used as before

Sentence a subordinating used as a
conjunction preposition

G3
The train fares were cheaper before 7am.
 1
Before eating her lunch, Joanne washed
her hands. 
She gave everyone a hug before she set off on her
journey. 
Notes: Only award one mark if all three correct answers are ticked.
Grammar Focus- G3. To identify subordinating conjunctions and prepositions in words which could belong to both word
classes.

22 Circle all the determiners in the passage below.

Rita bought a carnival outfit from the market. It had many sequins on it and several large
G1 1
feathers. It certainly was an extraordinary costume.

Notes: Only award one mark if all five determiners are identified.
Gramma Focus- G1. To identify specific and general determiners and understand these terms.

Tick the correct boxes to show whether the modal verbs in the sentences show certainty
23
or possibility.

Sentence Certainty Possibility

We may go to the shopping centre today.


G4 Billy can see Paul through the window.
 1

Dennis will get full marks on his test.


It might rain over the weekend.

Notes: Award one mark if all the ticks are in the correct columns.
Grammar Focus- G4. To assess understanding of modal verbs to indicate degrees of possibility.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 8

24 Tick one box for each sentence to show where the colon should go.

They all knew he had a hobby he was obsessed with trains.

G5 
Carrie kept three chickens as pets Kiev, Nugget and Tikka.
2


Notes: Award one mark for each correctly placed colon.
Grammar Focus- G5. To assess the understanding of the use of colons.

25 Complete the sentence below with an adjective formed from the noun root word in the box.

Mr. Neilson was fantastic in his role as school caretaker because he was a very practical
G3 1
person.

Notes: Award one mark for ‘practical’. Correct spelling is required for the award of the mark.
Grammar Focus- G3. To assess the use of suffixes to transform given nouns to their adjectival forms.

Insert more inverted commas in the correct places so that the direct speech is
26
punctuated correctly.

“Please take your seats,” instructed the conductor. “Does anyone need to purchase a
G5 1
ticket?”

Notes: Award one mark for an additional set of inverted commas in the correct places within the sentences.
Grammar Focus- G5. To assess the use of inverted commas.

27a Read the sentence below and re-write it in Standard English.

Possible answers:
G7 They had not brought anything with them. 1
They had brought nothing with them.

Notes: Award one mark for a grammatically correct sentence.

Grammar Focus- G7. To recognise Non-Standard English usage of double negatives.

27b Explain in your own words why the original sentence was incorrect.

Possible answers:
G7 There is a double negative in the original sentence. So the second negative word cancels 1
out the first.

Notes: Award one mark that gives reference to the double negative in the original sentence, where the second negative
word cancels out the first.
Grammar Focus- G7. To recognise Non-Standard English usage of double negatives.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 9

28 What is the name of the punctuation mark used within the underlined word in the sentence below?

G5 Hyphen 1

Notes: Award one mark for the correct answer.

Grammar Focus: G5. To recognise hyphens and how they can be used to create adjectives.

29 Tick one box in each row to show if the underlined clause is a main clause or subordinate clause.

Subordinate
Sentence Main Clause
Clause

Polar Bears, which are native to the Arctic,

are fierce predators. 
G3 Queen Victoria is one of England’s longest- 1
serving monarchs because she reigned for
63 years. 
As the volcano erupts, scorching-hot lava
escapes from the crater at the top of the
magma chamber. 
Notes: Award just one mark for all three ticks in the correct boxes.
Grammar Focus- G3. To assess the identification of main and subordinate clauses, and knowledge of these terms.

30 Complete the sentence below so that it uses the subjunctive form.

G4 I wish I were able to fly. 1

Notes: Award one mark for the correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G4. To assess the use of the subjunctive and the understanding of this term.

31 Tick the sentence that uses both possessive apostrophes correctly.

The farmers’ wife cut off the mice’s tails.

The farmer’s wife cut off the mices’ tails.

G5 1
The farmer’s wife cut off the mice’s tails.

The farmers’ wife cut off the mices’ tails.

Notes: Award one mark for the correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G5. To assess the usage of possessive apostrophes for both singular and irregular plural nouns.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 10

32 Tick one box in each row to show whether the underlined word is being used as a verb or a noun.

Sentence Verb Noun

Ellie had bought the ingredients to cook a

three-course meal. 
Primrose Primary wanted to hire a new
school cook. 
Tickets for the new Star Wars movie were in
2
G1
high demand. 
I demand to see the manager right away!

Zoe began to gently stroke her new pet
guinea pig. 
Class 6 were taught a new stroke in their
swimming lesson. 
Notes: Award two marks for all six ticks in the appropriate boxes.
Award one mark for 4 or 5 correct answers.
Grammar Focus- G1. To identify verbs and nouns, and to recognise there are words that belong to both
word classes.

33 Replace the underlined words in each of the sentences with a synonym from the list.

The ice-cream sundae was such a generous size that the children couldn’t finish it.

substantial

Scrooge was a selfish man, who expected his staff to work through Christmas.

self-centred

At least thirty minutes of vigorous exercise per day is good for your health.
G6 1
beneficial

The wealthy businesswoman bought a new unit with a view of the river.

affluent

The strong-willed knight stormed into battle with dogged bravery.

determined

Notes: Award one mark for all 5 correct answers.

Grammar Focus- G6. To recognise synonyms as words with similar meanings.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 11

34 Change all the underlined verbs from the present tense to the past tense.

Our dog chases the postman.

chased

He runs down the road after him.

ran
G4 2
He leaps at him until I whistle.

leapt whistled

When he is well-behaved, I buy him a bone.

was bought

Notes: Award two marks for all 5 correct answers.

Award one mark for 3 or 4 correct answers.
Do not accept any spelling errors.
Grammar Focus- G4. To form past tense verbs including irregular verb forms.

35 Underline the verb form that is in the past perfect progressive in the passage below.

Riley felt excited about the school bake-off competition. He was eager to
G4 win a certificate for undertaking his favourite hobby. He was feeling exhausted 1
as he had been baking all day.

Notes: Award one mark for correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G4. To recognise the past perfect progressive verb form and show understanding of the term.

36 Tick the sentence that uses dashes correctly.

My pet parrot - a Scarlet Macaw - loves to imitate voices.


G5 My pet - parrot - a Scarlet Macaw loves to imitate voices. 1

My pet parrot a Scarlet Macaw - loves to - imitate voices.

Notes: Award one mark for correct answer.

Grammar Focus- G5. To use dashes accurately to mark parenthesis.
Year 5-6 English Grammar and Punctuation Test Paper 12

In the spaces, write the word class of each of the underlined words in the paragraph below.
37
Use the terms from the given list.

Even though destroying rainforest causes climate change, people continue to do it

(pronoun). We must (modal verb) stop the deforestation and save the (determiner) planet.
G1 1
Amazingly (adverb), an area of forest the size of forty-eight football fields is cut down
every hour. Before (preposition) long, there will be none left.

Notes: Award one mark for all words identified correctly.

Grammar Focus- G1. To identify different classes of words.

Rewrite the sentence below with the adverbial at the front of the sentence.
38
Make sure you use the same words and the correct punctuation.

G3 When you’ve finished washing the pots, you should tidy your bedroom. 1

Notes: Award one mark if the adverbial is at the beginning of the sentence and demarcated with a comma.
Grammar Focus- G3. To use fronted adverbials with the correct punctuation.

39a Rewrite these spoken sentences, adding inverted commas and the correct punctuation.

G5 Bobby screamed loudly, “I’ve trapped my finger!” 1

Notes: Award one mark if a comma, a set of inverted commas and an exclamation mark to end the exclamation sentence are
used in the correct positions. Also accept a full stop after ‘finger’.
Grammar Focus- G5. To accurately punctuate direct speech.

39b Rewrite these spoken sentences, adding inverted commas and the correct punctuation.

G5 “Would you mind if I took your picture?” asked the photographer. 1

Notes: Award one mark if a set of inverted commas, a question mark and a full stop are used in the correct positions.
Grammar Focus- G5. To accurately punctuate direct speech.

40 Complete the sentence below with a reflexive pronoun.

G1 Belinda taught herself to play the guitar in just a few months. 1

Notes: Award one mark for the correct answer.

Grammar Focus-G1. To identify an appropriate pronoun to fit in a sentence.