Year 4 English · Reading fiction and vocabulary · Test yourself
Year 4 English Reading fiction and vocabulary: check-up and practice test questions
Part of the Year 4 English reading fiction and vocabulary chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Exercise 8Z Check-up
1
Use this extract: The market closed at ten o'clock, and the lanterns were switched off one by one. What time did the market close?
ten o'clock
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.closed at ten o'clock
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The time is stated in the extract.ten o'clock
- Write the answer. ten o'clock
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
2
Use this extract: The old bridge was so frail that nobody dared to cross it. Find the word that means weak and easily broken.
frail
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.frail
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. Frail is the word in the extract that means weak and easily broken.frail
- Write the answer. frail
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
3
Use this extract: The kitten's paws were as soft as velvet. Copy the simile.
as soft as velvet
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.as soft as velvet
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. A simile compares two things using as or like.as soft as velvet
- Write the answer. as soft as velvet
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
4
Use this extract: Rosa looked at the empty cage and sighed. She had let the rabbit out by mistake. How does Rosa feel? Give the evidence.
Accept any answer that means sad, sorry or guilty, with the evidence. For example: sad, because the text says "looked at the empty cage and sighed".
Method. Find the evidence, then work out what it shows.
- Find what the character does or says. Look for actions, words or reactions that show a feeling.looked at the empty cage and sighed
- Work out the feeling. Sighing at an empty cage shows that she is sad and sorry.sad
- Give the feeling with the evidence. A good answer quotes the words that prove the idea.sad, because the text says "looked at the empty cage and sighed"
- Write the answer. sad, because the text says "looked at the empty cage and sighed"
Check. The evidence supports the feeling. ✓
5
Use this extract: The lights went out. Silence. Then, a soft knock came from the door. What is the effect of the one-word sentence Silence. on the reader?
Accept any answer that explains that the one-word sentence builds suspense or makes the reader wait. For example: it makes the reader wait and builds suspense.
Method. Think about the length of the sentence and the pause it creates.
- Find the sentence. Silence is a single word, after a short sentence.Silence.
- Think about the pace. The one word makes the reader pause.a pause
- Name the effect. The reader waits, and expects something to happen.builds suspense
- Write the answer. it makes the reader wait and builds suspense
Check. The pause builds suspense. ✓
6
Use this extract: Kai found a note in the old tree: "Meet me where the path ends." He grabbed his coat and ran out. Predict where Kai will go next. Give one clue.
Accept any answer that predicts the end of the path, using the note as a clue. For example: to the place where the path ends, because the note said to meet there.
Method. Use a clue from the text to make a sensible prediction.
- Find a clue in the text. A clue is a detail the writer states or suggests.Meet me where the path ends
- Use the clue to predict. The note tells him where to go.to the place where the path ends, because the note said to meet there
- Write the answer. to the place where the path ends, because the note said to meet there
Check. The prediction follows from the clue. ✓
7
Use this extract: Tara shared her lunch with a new boy who had none. By June, they were best friends. What is a theme of this extract?
Accept any answer that names a theme such as kindness, sharing or friendship. For example: kindness.
Method. Find the message, not the events.
- Find the kind act. Tara shared her lunch with a new boy.shared her lunch
- Find what follows. They became best friends.best friends
- Name the theme. The message is that kindness builds friendship.kindness
- Write the answer. kindness
Check. Sharing led to friendship. ✓
8
Use this extract: On Friday, Nell and her dad cycled to the lake at noon. Write the who, the where and the when.
(a)(a) Who went cycling?
Nell and her dad
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.Nell and her dad cycled
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The people are named at the start of the sentence after On Friday.Nell and her dad
- Write the answer. Nell and her dad
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
(b)(b) Where did they go?
the lake
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.cycled to the lake
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The place comes after to.the lake
- Write the answer. the lake
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
(c)(c) When did they go?
Friday, at noon
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.On Friday
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The day and the time are both in the sentence: on Friday, and at noon.Friday, at noon
- Write the answer. Friday, at noon
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
9
Kai finds a note in an old tree and runs out in a hurry. Which question would help you understand his actions most? Choose What is Kai's favourite food?, What did the note mean? or What colour is his coat?.
What did the note mean?
Method. Test each choice against the sentence and the text.
- Read the sentence with the word in it. Decide what the sentence needs.
- Test the choice in the sentence. This question helps you understand the reason for his hurry: the note.What did the note mean? fits
- Reject the other choices. Food and colour do not help you understand what happens in the story.What is Kai's favourite food? and What colour is his coat? do not fit
- Write the answer. What did the note mean?
Check. What did the note mean? fits the sentence. ✓
10
Use this extract: Once upon a time, a poor miller had three daughters. Name one feature of a traditional tale shown in this extract.
Accept any answer that names one of these features: the opening Once upon a time, or the rule of three with three daughters. For example: the opening Once upon a time, or the rule of three with three daughters.
Method. Look for the opening words and a pattern of three.
- Find the opening. Once upon a time is a traditional opening.Once upon a time
- Find the pattern. Three daughters is a rule of three.three daughters
- Name the feature. Either feature shows a traditional tale.Once upon a time
- Write the answer. the opening Once upon a time, or the rule of three with three daughters
Check. Either feature is a convention of traditional tales. ✓
Total 20 marks. Allow about 20 minutes.
Exercise 8X Practice test questions
1
FFind the word in this extract that means not fresh: The bread had gone stale, so Jon threw it away.[1 mark]
stale
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.had gone stale
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. Stale means not fresh, and it describes the bread.stale
- Write the answer. stale
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
2
FIs this sentence a simile or a metaphor? The lake was like a mirror that morning. Choose simile or metaphor.[1 mark]
simile
Method. Test each choice against the sentence and the text.
- Read the sentence with the word in it. Decide what the sentence needs.
- Test the choice in the sentence. The sentence compares the lake with a mirror using like.simile fits
- Reject the other choices. A metaphor would say the lake is a mirror, without like or as.metaphor do not fit
- Write the answer. simile
Check. simile fits the sentence. ✓
3
FWhich two words show that this extract is set in the past? Long ago, the village had no bridge. People crossed the river in boats.[1 mark]
Long ago
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.Long ago, the village had no bridge
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. These two words set the story in the past.Long ago
- Write the answer. Long ago
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
4
FUse this extract: Maya kept checking her phone. She had not answered Dan's message all day. How does Maya feel? Give the evidence.[2 marks]
Accept any answer that means worried, anxious or guilty, with the evidence. For example: worried or guilty, because the text says "kept checking her phone".
Method. Find the evidence, then work out what it shows.
- Find what the character does or says. Look for actions, words or reactions that show a feeling.kept checking her phone
- Work out the feeling. Checking her phone again and again shows that she is waiting, and worried about the message.worried or guilty
- Give the feeling with the evidence. A good answer quotes the words that prove the idea.worried or guilty, because the text says "kept checking her phone"
- Write the answer. worried or guilty, because the text says "kept checking her phone"
Check. The evidence supports the feeling. ✓
5
FUse this extract: Hassan, the coach, blew the whistle at quarter to four. The team ran to the bench.[2 marks]
(a)(a) What time did the whistle blow?
at quarter to four
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.at quarter to four
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The time is in the first sentence.at quarter to four
- Write the answer. at quarter to four
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
(b)(b) Who blew the whistle?
Hassan
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.Hassan, the coach, blew the whistle
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The name is at the start of the first sentence.Hassan
- Write the answer. Hassan
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
6
PSUse this extract: The door creaked open, and a cold draught swept across the floor. On the table lay a single, unlit candle. Predict what might happen next. Give one clue.[2 marks]
Accept any answer that predicts something sensible, such as someone entering or the candle being lit, using a clue from the extract. For example: someone may come in and light the candle, because the door has just opened.
Method. Use a clue from the text to make a sensible prediction.
- Find a clue in the text. A clue is a detail the writer states or suggests.The door creaked open
- Use the clue to predict. The door opened and the room is cold, so someone may have come in.someone may come in and light the candle, because the door has just opened
- Write the answer. someone may come in and light the candle, because the door has just opened
Check. The prediction follows from the clue. ✓
7
PSUse this extract: The race was close. Ben pushed harder, and his legs burned. Then, with a final leap, he crossed the line first. What is the effect of the words his legs burned?[2 marks]
Accept any answer that explains that it shows Ben is tired or working very hard, and builds tension or excitement. For example: it shows Ben was tired and working very hard, which builds tension.
Method. Think about what the words show, and what the reader feels.
- Find the words. His legs burned as he pushed harder.his legs burned
- Think about the picture. Burning legs show that he is exhausted and working very hard.tired and working hard
- Name the effect. The reader feels the tension of the race.builds tension
- Write the answer. it shows Ben was tired and working very hard, which builds tension
Check. The words show effort and build tension. ✓
8
RUse this extract: Sam wanted the bigger apple, but he gave it to his little brother, who was hungry. Name a theme of this extract and give evidence from it.[3 marks]
Accept any answer that names a theme such as kindness or sharing, and gives evidence such as gave it to his little brother. For example: kindness, because Sam gave the bigger apple to his hungry brother.
Method. Find the act, then name the message.
- Find the act. Sam gave the bigger apple to his brother.he gave it to his little brother
- Find the reason. His brother was hungry, so Sam shared.his brother was hungry
- Name the theme. The message is that kindness matters more than what we want.kindness
- Write the answer. kindness, because Sam gave the bigger apple to his hungry brother
Check. The act and the message match. ✓
9
PSUse this extract: A king lost his crown in the river. A fisherman found it, and he returned it without asking for anything. The king gave him a gold coin. Retell this extract in three sentences, in the right order.[3 marks]
Accept any answer that retells the extract in three sentences, in order: the crown is lost, it is returned, and a gold coin is given. For example: The king lost his crown in the river. A fisherman found it and returned it. The grateful king gave him a gold coin..
Method. Use the order of the events.
- Write the first sentence. The king lost his crown.lost his crown in the river
- Write the second sentence. The fisherman found it and returned it.returned it
- Write the third sentence. The king gave a gold coin as thanks.gave him a gold coin
- Write the answer. The king lost his crown in the river. A fisherman found it and returned it. The grateful king gave him a gold coin.
Check. Three sentences in the right order. ✓
Watch out. Retell in your own words, and keep the order of the events.
10
RUse this extract: The night was cold and still. Then, from the woods, came a long, low howl. Nobody moved. Explain how the writer builds tension, using one word choice and the structure.[3 marks]
Accept any answer that names one word choice, such as howl, and explains how the short last sentence builds tension. For example: the word howl sounds frightening, and the short last sentence Nobody moved makes the reader wait.
Method. Look at one word, then at the short sentences.
- Find a word choice. Howl is a frightening sound.a long, low howl
- Find the structure. The short last sentence makes the reader stop and wait.Nobody moved
- Explain the effect. The word and the pause together build tension for the reader.builds tension
- Write the answer. the word howl sounds frightening, and the short last sentence Nobody moved makes the reader wait
Check. The word and the structure both build tension. ✓