Year 5 English · Writing stories and poems · Lesson 11.2
Year 5 English: Choosing grammar and vocabulary, and how the choice changes meaning
Part of the Year 5 English writing stories and poems chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
11.2
Choosing grammar and vocabulary, and how the choice changes meaning
Story. Sam has written, The dog ran. He thinks it is too plain. He tries three versions: The dog dashed., The dog raced. and The dog bolted across the lawn. Each one gives the reader a different picture.
Key ideas
- A precise verb (such as bolted) shows exactly how something moved.
- An adverb or a prepositional phrase can add when, where or how: quickly, across the lawn.
- A modal verb or an adverb of possibility can change how sure the writer is: might, probably.
- Read each version aloud and ask: what picture does this give the reader?
Worked example 11.2.1
Which verb shows the dog moved fastest: ran or bolted?
Method. Think about the speed of each verb.
- Compare the verbs. Ran is ordinary; bolted suggests sudden, fast movement.sudden
- Choose. Bolted gives the clearest picture of speed.bolted
- Write the answer. bolted
Check. Bolted. ✓
Worked example 11.2.2
How does the addition of across the lawn change the sentence?
Method. Think about the information added.
- Find the new words. Across the lawn is a phrase of place.place
- Explain. The reader now knows where the dog ran.where
- Write the answer. it tells the reader where the dog ran
Check. It tells the reader where. ✓
Worked example 11.2.3
Which version is most certain: The dog might run or The dog will run?
Method. Think about how sure the writer is.
- Compare. Might shows possibility; will shows more certainty.possibility
- Choose. Will is more certain.will
- Write the answer. will
Check. Will. ✓
Exercise 11B Practice: choosing words
1
FWhich verb is more precise: walked or tiptoed, for someone who is trying not to wake a baby?
tiptoed
Method. Think about which verb shows the careful, quiet movement.
- Compare. Walked is general; tiptoed shows quiet, careful movement.quiet
- Choose. Tiptoed.tiptoed
- Write the answer. tiptoed
Check. Tiptoed. ✓
2
FWhich word is more vivid for a loud noise: noise or boom?
boom
Method. Think about the sound.
- Compare. Boom is a sound word and more vivid.more vivid
- Choose. Boom.boom
- Write the answer. boom
Check. Boom. ✓
3
FChoose the adverb that makes the action slower: ran quickly or ran slowly?
slowly
Method. Think about the meaning.
- Compare. Slowly means at a slow pace.slow
- Choose. Slowly.slowly
- Write the answer. slowly
Check. Slowly. ✓
4
FWhich sentence shows the writer is sure: It might snow or It will snow?
It will snow
Method. Think about certainty.
- Compare. Might is possible; will is more certain.certain
- Choose. It will snow.It will snow
- Write the answer. It will snow
Check. It will snow. ✓
5
FAdd a phrase of time to We went to the park. Write the new sentence.
Accept any time phrase, such as We went to the park after lunch.
Method. Add a time phrase.
- Choose the time. After lunch tells when.after lunch
- Write it. We went to the park after lunch.after lunch
- Write the answer. Accept any time phrase, such as We went to the park after lunch.
Check. Time added. ✓
6
PSWhich version gives a clearer picture: The sky was dark or The sky was bruised with purple clouds?
The sky was bruised with purple clouds
Method. Which gives more detail?
- Compare. The second version gives colour and a picture.colour
- Choose. The second is more vivid.bruised
- Write the answer. The sky was bruised with purple clouds
Check. The second is more vivid. ✓
7
PSChoose the verb form that makes the event happen in the past: She runs or She ran?
She ran
Method. Think about the time of the event.
- Check the time. The story is about the past.past
- Choose. She ran.ran
- Write the answer. She ran
Check. She ran. ✓
8
PSChange the sentence so the writer is less certain: The bus will be late.
The bus might be late.
Method. Use a modal verb of possibility.
- Find the modal. Will shows certainty.will
- Change it. Might shows less certainty.The bus might be late.
- Write the answer. The bus might be late.
Check. The bus might be late. ✓
9
PSWhich phrase is a noun phrase that adds detail: the old wooden gate or go away?
the old wooden gate
Method. Look for a group of words with a noun at its centre.
- Check each. The old wooden gate has a noun, gate, with describing words.gate
- Choose. The old wooden gate.the old wooden gate
- Write the answer. the old wooden gate
Check. The old wooden gate. ✓
10
RChoose a plain sentence and rewrite it with a more precise verb and one extra detail.
Accept any answer that rewrites a plain sentence with a more precise verb and at least one extra detail. For example: The cat moved. -> The cat crept silently under the table.
Method. Choose one verb that shows how the action was done.
- Choose the verb. Crept shows slow, careful movement.crept
- Add the detail. Under the table tells where.under the table
- Write the answer. The cat moved. -> The cat crept silently under the table.
Check. The new sentence is more precise. ✓
11
RExplain how changing might to will changes the meaning of a sentence.
Accept any answer that says will is more certain and might shows only a possibility. For example: will makes the writer more certain; might shows only a possibility
Method. Think about how sure the writer is.
- Look at might. Might is a possibility.possibility
- Look at will. Will is a stronger certainty.certainty
- Write the answer. will makes the writer more certain; might shows only a possibility
Check. Might is less certain than will. ✓