Free Year 6 English Practice Test (10 Questions)

1. Which sentence is in the passive voice?

The window was broken by the ball. The ball broke the window. The ball breaks windows. Break the window.

Answer: In the passive the thing affected comes first: The window was broken by the ball.

2. Which sentence uses the subjunctive?

If I were you, I would rest. If I was you, I would rest. If I am you, I would rest. If I be you, I would rest.

Answer: The formal subjunctive uses were: If I were you, I would rest.

3. Which uses a semi-colon correctly?

It was raining; we stayed inside. It was; raining we stayed inside. It was raining we; stayed inside. It; was raining we stayed inside.

Answer: A semi-colon joins two linked main clauses: It was raining; we stayed inside.

4. Which uses a colon correctly?

You will need: a pen, a ruler and a rubber. You: will need a pen. You will: need a pen. You will need a: pen.

Answer: A colon can introduce a list after a complete clause: You will need: a pen, a ruler and a rubber.

5. Which word is an antonym of reluctant?

eager unwilling slow tired

Answer: Reluctant means unwilling; the opposite is eager.

6. Which sentence is most formal?

I would be grateful if you could reply. Gimme a reply. Text me back yeah. Reply asap mate.

Answer: I would be grateful if you could reply. uses formal vocabulary and full sentences.

7. Which hyphen makes the meaning clear: a shark that eats people?

man-eating shark man eating-shark maneating shark man eat-ing shark

Answer: The hyphen links man and eating: man-eating shark.

8. Which word is a subordinating conjunction?

although and but or

Answer: although starts a subordinate clause; and, but and or are coordinating.

9. What does an ellipsis (…) usually show?

a pause or missing words the end of a question possession a list

Answer: An ellipsis shows a pause or missing words.

10. Which word contains a prefix meaning against?

antiseptic autobiography submarine rewrite

Answer: antiseptic: anti- means against (against infection).

About this test

Year 6 completes the KS2 grammar curriculum with the passive voice, the subjunctive, semi-colons, colons and hyphens. These are exactly the terms the SPaG test checks in May.

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