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SATs practice · Year 6Chapter 1 · Word classes and clauses
Year 6 · Chapter 1

Word classes and clauses

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Name the word class of a bold word in a sentence
  • Tell a main clause from a subordinate clause, and copy each one
  • Find the subject and the object of a verb
  • Choose a relative pronoun, a conjunction or a preposition that fits the sentence
  • Choose a synonym or an antonym that fits the meaning

You should already know

  • Nouns, verbs, adjectives and simple sentences (Year 4 grammar)
  • Subordinate clauses and conjunctions (Year 4 grammar)

Where this leads

  • Verb forms, tense and modal verbs (Chapter 2 of this book)

KS2 SATs practice for grammar, punctuation and spelling (Year 6). Original questions in the style of the national tests. Content: Identify and use determiners: articles, possessive and demonstrative determiners (Year 5-6 grammar), Identify and use pronouns, including relative pronouns who, which, that and whose (Year 5-6 grammar), Use prepositions, and adverbs of time, place and manner (Year 5-6 grammar), Use co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions to join clauses (Year 5-6 grammar), Identify main and subordinate clauses, and the subject and object of a sentence (Year 5-6 grammar), Build expanded noun phrases, and use synonyms and antonyms with care (Year 5-6 grammar).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the adjective in this phrase: the tall tree. Write one word.
2
FWrite the verb in this sentence: The cat sleeps on the mat. Write one word.
3
FWhich word is a noun in this sentence: The rain fell softly on the roof. Choose one: softly, fell or rain.
4
FWrite the word that joins two clauses in: Sam ran and Jo walked. Write one word.
5
FHow many clauses are in this sentence: Ali opened the door and the dog ran out. Write the number.
1.1

Determiners and pronouns

Year 6
Identify and use determiners: articles, possessive and demonstrative determiners (Year 5-6 grammar), Identify and use pronouns, including relative pronouns (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Determiners and pronounsComing soon
Practice material. This is practice in the style of the Year 6 grammar, punctuation and spelling test. It is not the official test, and no official test item is used. Marks and timings are a practice guide only.
Story. Priya is planning a school trip. She writes a list for her friends: "Those coats are warm, their bags are heavy, and the bus that we booked leaves at nine."

Rule

A determiner comes before a noun and says which one or how many: the, a, an, my, their, this, those.

A pronoun stands in place of a noun or a noun phrase: she, it, they, mine. A relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose) begins a clause that describes a noun.

For the full explanation of relative pronouns, read Year 6 English, chapter 5.

Key ideas

  • A determiner comes before a noun: the bus, those coats.
  • A pronoun stands in place of a noun: Priya wrote it, not Priya wrote the list.
  • A relative pronoun begins a clause that describes a noun: the bus that we booked.
Worked example 1.1.1
Which word is a determiner in: These biscuits are fresh.

Method. A determiner comes before a noun and says which one.

  1. Find the noun. Biscuits is the noun.
    biscuits
  2. Look at the word before it. These comes before the noun and says which biscuits are meant.
    These biscuits
  3. Check it is not a pronoun. A pronoun would stand in place of the noun, so it would not need biscuits after it.
    These, not These biscuits alone
  4. Write the answer.
    These

Check. These comes before a noun. ✓

Watch out. A determiner always goes with a noun, even when the noun is not written.

Worked example 1.1.2
Which word is a pronoun in: Mia gave it to Dan.

Method. A pronoun stands in place of a noun.

  1. Find the nouns. Mia and Dan are names of people.
    Mia, Dan
  2. Find the word that stands in place of a noun. It stands in place of a thing that was already named.
    it
  3. Check the answer. It has no noun after it, so it is a pronoun.
    it
  4. Write the answer.
    it

Check. it replaces a thing. ✓

Worked example 1.1.3
Write the possessive determiner in: The twins missed their bus.

Method. A possessive determiner shows who owns the noun that follows it.

  1. Find the noun. Bus is the noun.
    bus
  2. Find the word that shows ownership. Their shows that the twins own the bus they missed.
    their
  3. Check the others. The and bus are not possessive.
    their
  4. Write the answer.
    their

Check. their shows who owns the bus. ✓

Exercise 1A  Practice: determiners and pronouns

1
FWhich word is a demonstrative determiner in: Those apples look ripe. Choose one: Those, apples or ripe.
2
FWhich word is a possessive determiner in: Their dog barked all night. Choose one: dog, night or Their.
3
FWrite the definite article in this sentence: A bird sang in the tree. Write one word.
4
FWhich word is a pronoun in: Give it to me before lunch. Choose one: it, lunch or before.
5
FTick the pronouns in this sentence: Sam said that she would bring the tent, which we needed. Words: Sam | said | that | she | tent | which | we. Write the words you would tick, in the order they appear.
6
FWrite the relative pronoun in: The bridge that crosses the river is old. Write one word.
7
FWhich relative pronoun fits: The woman ___ bought the house is a nurse. Choose one: which, whose or who.
8
FWrite the possessive determiner in: The children washed their hands before tea. Write one word.
9
PSWhich determiner fits the gap: ___ children are waiting outside. Choose one: This, Those or That.
10
PSRewrite this sentence, replacing Ben and Lucy with a pronoun: Ben and Lucy arrived late.
11
RExplain in one sentence why that is a determiner in That book is mine, but a pronoun in I want that.
12
PSWrite a sentence that uses these as a determiner.
1.2

Prepositions, adverbs and conjunctions

Year 6
Use prepositions, and adverbs of time, place and manner (Year 5-6 grammar), Use co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions to join clauses (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Prepositions, adverbs and conjunctionsComing soon
Story. Tomas and his grandad are on a walk. They set off early, they stop for a drink, and they go home before it gets dark.

Rule

A preposition comes before a noun phrase and shows place or time: under, through, after, behind.

An adverb tells how, when or where: greedily (manner), tomorrow (time), outside (place).

A co-ordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so) joins two main clauses. A subordinating conjunction (because, although, when, while, if) begins a subordinate clause.

Key ideas

  • A preposition is followed by a noun phrase: behind the shed.
  • An adverb of time, place or manner describes the verb: ran outside, left tomorrow.
  • Co-ordinating conjunctions join equal clauses; subordinating conjunctions start a subordinate clause.
Worked example 1.2.1
Which word is a preposition in: The fox hid behind the shed.

Method. A preposition is followed by a noun phrase, and shows where something is.

  1. Find the noun phrase after each word. The shed follows behind.
    behind the shed
  2. Check the meaning. Behind shows where the fox hid, so it is a preposition.
    behind
  3. Check the other words. Fox is a noun, and hid is a verb.
    behind
  4. Write the answer.
    behind

Check. behind is followed by the shed. ✓

Worked example 1.2.2
Which word is an adverb of manner in: The puppy ate its dinner greedily.

Method. An adverb of manner tells how an action is done.

  1. Find the verb. Ate is the verb.
    ate
  2. Ask how the eating was done. Greedily tells how the puppy ate.
    greedily
  3. Check the other words. Puppy and dinner are nouns.
    greedily
  4. Write the answer.
    greedily

Check. greedily tells how the puppy ate. ✓

Worked example 1.2.3
Which word is a subordinating conjunction in: We stayed indoors because the wind was strong.

Method. A subordinating conjunction starts a subordinate clause that explains the main clause.

  1. Find the joining word. Because joins the two parts of the sentence.
    because
  2. Check the clause it begins. Because the wind was strong explains why we stayed indoors.
    because the wind was strong
  3. Check the other words. Indoors is an adverb of place, and stayed is a verb.
    because
  4. Write the answer.
    because

Check. because begins a subordinate clause. ✓

Exercise 1B  Practice: prepositions, adverbs and conjunctions

1
FWhich word is a preposition in: The fox hid behind the shed. Choose one: hid, fox or behind.
2
FWhich word is an adverb of time in: We will visit Grandma tomorrow. Choose one: visit, Grandma or tomorrow.
3
FWhich word is an adverb of manner in: The puppy ate its dinner greedily. Choose one: puppy, dinner or greedily.
4
FWrite the adverb of place in: The children played outside after tea. Write one word.
5
FWhich word is a co-ordinating conjunction in: Ravi wanted the red bike, but his sister chose the blue one. Choose one: wanted, red or but.
6
FWhich word is a subordinating conjunction in: We stayed indoors because the wind was strong. Choose one: stayed, indoors or because.
7
FTick the subordinating conjunctions in: We ran because it rained, and we hid when the thunder started. Words: We | ran | because | it | rained | and | hid | when | the | thunder | started. Write the words you would tick, in the order they appear.
8
FWhich conjunction joins the two main clauses in: The kettle boiled, so we made tea. Write the word only.
9
PSWhich word is a preposition in: She climbed up the ladder and into the loft. Choose one: climbed, ladder or into.
10
PSWrite a sentence that begins with an adverb of time.
11
PSWrite a sentence in which under is a preposition.
12
RIs since a preposition or a conjunction in: We have lived here since 2015.? Write one word.
1.3

Main and subordinate clauses

Year 6
Identify main and subordinate clauses (Year 5-6 grammar), Use co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions to join clauses (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Main and subordinate clausesComing soon
Story. Lena is writing a diary about the school fair. "The stall opened late, because the rain had flooded the field. If the sun comes out, we will hold the raffle outside."

Rule

A main clause has a subject and a verb and makes sense on its own.

A subordinate clause adds to a main clause, but cannot stand alone. It starts with a subordinating conjunction such as because, although, if, when, or with a relative pronoun.

A sentence can have one main clause and many subordinate clauses.

Key ideas

  • A main clause can stand alone as a sentence.
  • A subordinate clause starts with a subordinating conjunction and needs a main clause.
  • Check each clause for its own subject and verb.
Worked example 1.3.1
Find the main clause in: Although the sun was low, the farmer kept working.

Method. Find the clause that makes sense on its own.

  1. Find the clause that starts with although. Although the sun was low cannot stand alone.
    Although the sun was low
  2. Find the rest of the sentence. The farmer kept working makes sense on its own.
    the farmer kept working
  3. Check the subject and verb. The farmer is the subject, and kept is the verb.
    the farmer kept working
  4. Write the answer.
    the farmer kept working

Check. the farmer kept working is a complete clause. ✓

Worked example 1.3.2
Copy the subordinate clause from: Mia will call you when she gets home.

Method. A subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.

  1. Find the conjunction. When is a subordinating conjunction.
    when
  2. Copy the words from when to the end. The clause runs from when to home.
    when she gets home
  3. Check it cannot stand alone. When she gets home needs the main clause Mia will call you.
    when she gets home
  4. Write the answer.
    when she gets home

Check. the clause needs the main clause. ✓

Worked example 1.3.3
How many subordinate clauses are in: The dog that barked at the postman is brown.

Method. Look for a clause that starts with a relative pronoun or a subordinating conjunction.

  1. Find the relative pronoun. That begins a clause.
    that
  2. Copy the clause. That barked at the postman describes the dog.
    that barked at the postman
  3. Count the subordinate clauses. There is one, and the dog is brown is the main clause.
    1
  4. Write the answer.
    1

Check. one clause describes the dog. ✓

Exercise 1C  Practice: main and subordinate clauses

1
FCopy the main clause from: The concert started late because the bus was delayed.
2
FCopy the subordinate clause from: Mia will call you when she gets home.
3
FWhich group of words is a main clause? Choose one: because it rained, the match was cancelled or if you are ready.
4
FHow many main clauses are in: We packed the picnic, and we walked to the lake. Write the number.
5
FHow many subordinate clauses are in: The dog that barked at the postman is brown. Write the number.
6
FWhich word begins a subordinate clause in: Tom stayed at home while his parents went shopping. Write the word only.
7
PSWhich group of words could not stand alone as a sentence? Choose one: because it was late, Tom laughed or the lamp flickered.
8
PSWrite the main clause in: Before the storm arrived, the sailors checked the ropes.
9
PSWrite the subordinate clause in: If you finish your work, you can read a book.
10
RCan the words after the bell rang stand alone as a sentence? Explain why.
11
PSWrite one sentence with a main clause and a subordinate clause that begins with although.
12
PSWrite the main clause in: Although the path was muddy, the children ran to the gate.
13
RWhy is this not a complete sentence: Because the road was closed.?
1.4

Subject, object and expanded noun phrases

Year 6
Identify the subject and object of a sentence (Year 5-6 grammar), Build expanded noun phrases that convey complicated information concisely (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Subject, object and expanded noun phrasesComing soon
Story. At the harbour, the fishermen unload their nets. The shy boy in the blue coat waves to them, and the gulls circle above the boats.

Rule

The subject is the person or thing that does the action. The object is the person or thing that receives the action.

An expanded noun phrase adds words before or after the noun to give more detail: the grey donkey that lived on the farm.

Key ideas

  • The subject does the action of the verb.
  • The object receives the action of the verb.
  • The main noun is the word the other words describe.
Worked example 1.4.1
Write the object in: The gardener planted roses yesterday.

Method. The object receives the action of planted.

  1. Find the verb. Planted is the verb.
    planted
  2. Ask what was planted. The gardener planted roses, so the roses receive the action.
    roses
  3. Check the subject. The gardener does the planting, so it is the subject.
    roses
  4. Write the answer.
    roses

Check. roses receive the action of planted. ✓

Worked example 1.4.2
Write the subject of: Under the bridge, the ducks were sleeping.

Method. The subject is the person or thing that does the action.

  1. Find the verb. Were sleeping is the verb.
    were sleeping
  2. Ask who was sleeping. The ducks were sleeping, so the ducks is the subject.
    the ducks
  3. Check the phrase Under the bridge. It tells where, so it is not the subject.
    the ducks
  4. Write the answer.
    the ducks

Check. the ducks does the sleeping. ✓

Worked example 1.4.3
Write the main noun in the expanded noun phrase: the grey donkey that lived on the farm

Method. The main noun is the word that the other words describe.

  1. Find the words that describe. Grey describes the donkey, and that lived on the farm adds more detail.
    grey, that lived on the farm
  2. Find the noun. Donkey is the noun all the others describe.
    donkey
  3. Check. Farm is a noun too, but it is inside a phrase and not the main noun.
    donkey
  4. Write the answer.
    donkey

Check. donkey is the main noun. ✓

Exercise 1D  Practice: subject, object and expanded noun phrases

1
FWrite the subject of: The farmer fed the hens.
2
FWrite the object of: Our neighbour is painting the fence.
3
FWhich word is the object in: The gardener planted roses yesterday. Choose one: gardener, yesterday or roses.
4
FWrite the subject of: Under the bridge, the ducks were sleeping.
5
FWrite the main noun in the expanded noun phrase: the quiet girl with the red scarf
6
PSWrite the object of the verb in: The baker sold bread, cakes and buns.
7
PSWhich word is the subject in: Quickly, the cat slipped through the gap. Choose one: Quickly, gap or cat.
8
PSWrite the subject of: Last summer, my cousins built a treehouse.
9
PSWrite a sentence with an expanded noun phrase as its subject.
10
PSExpand the noun phrase a bag, so that it gives more detail. Write the phrase.
11
RExplain how you know that the cake is the object in: Mum baked the cake.
1.5

Synonyms, antonyms and word choice

Year 6
Use synonyms and antonyms to choose words with care, and to avoid repetition (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Synonyms, antonyms and word choiceComing soon
Story. Our class is writing reviews of the school library. Ellie writes that the story is "enormous", but then she notices she has used "huge" and "vast" as well, so she checks which word means the same and fits best.

Rule

A synonym has the same or a similar meaning: big, large, huge.

An antonym has the opposite meaning: ancient and modern.

Writers choose a word for its exact meaning, and they vary their words so the text does not repeat.

Key ideas

  • A synonym means the same or nearly the same.
  • An antonym means the opposite.
  • Test a synonym in the sentence: does the meaning still fit?
Worked example 1.5.1
Which word is a synonym of weary?

Method. A synonym means the same or nearly the same.

  1. Read the word. Weary means very tired.
    weary = very tired
  2. Test each option. Tired has the same meaning.
    tired
  3. Reject the others. Lively and cheerful mean the opposite.
    tired
  4. Write the answer.
    tired

Check. tired means the same as weary. ✓

Worked example 1.5.2
Which word is an antonym of generous?

Method. An antonym has the opposite meaning.

  1. Read the word. Generous means willing to give to others.
    generous
  2. Find the opposite. Selfish means thinking only about yourself.
    selfish
  3. Check the others. Kind and loud are not opposites.
    selfish
  4. Write the answer.
    selfish

Check. selfish is the opposite of generous. ✓

Worked example 1.5.3
Write one word that is an antonym of brave.

Method. An antonym has the opposite meaning.

  1. Read the meaning. Brave means not afraid of danger.
    not afraid
  2. Find the opposite. Cowardly means easily frightened, which is the opposite.
    cowardly
  3. Check the meaning. Bold and strong are not opposites of brave.
    cowardly
  4. Write the answer.
    cowardly

Check. cowardly is the opposite of brave. ✓

Exercise 1E  Practice: synonyms, antonyms and word choice

1
FWrite a synonym for enormous. Write one word.
2
FWhich word is a synonym of weary? Choose one: lively, tired or cheerful.
3
FWhich word is an antonym of generous? Choose one: selfish, kind or loud.
4
FWrite an antonym of ancient. Write one word.
5
PSThe writer has used nice three times in: The soup was nice, the bread was nice and the cake was nice. Write a different word for one of the nices.
6
PSWhich word means the same as shine in the sense of a light that sparkles? Choose one: gleam, shout or swim.
7
PSWhich pair of words are antonyms? Choose one: hot and warm, hot and cold or hot and heat.
8
PSTick the words that are synonyms of quick. Words: rapid | slow | speedy | heavy | swift. Write the words you would tick, in the order they appear.
9
PSWhich word is a formal synonym of tell? Choose one: inform, shout or lie.
10
PSWrite one sentence that uses a word and its antonym, such as light and dark.
11
RWhy might a writer choose glimpsed instead of saw?
12
RGive one reason why a writer might avoid repeating the word big in a story.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
DeterminerA word before a noun that says which one or how many: the, a, my, those.
PronounA word that stands in place of a noun: she, it, they, mine. Relative pronouns: who, which, that, whose.
PrepositionA word followed by a noun phrase that shows place or time: under, after, behind.
AdverbA word that tells how, when or where: greedily, tomorrow, outside.
ConjunctionCo-ordinating (and, but, or, so) joins equal clauses; subordinating (because, although, when) starts a subordinate clause.
Main and subordinate clauseA main clause stands alone; a subordinate clause needs a main clause.
Subject and objectThe subject does the action; the object receives it.
Synonym and antonymA synonym means the same; an antonym means the opposite.

Can you…?

  • I can name the determiner, pronoun, preposition and conjunction in a sentence
  • I can tell a main clause from a subordinate clause
  • I can find the subject and the object of a verb
  • I can choose a relative pronoun that fits the noun it describes
  • I can choose a synonym or an antonym that fits the meaning

Key terms

determiner
a word such as the, a, my or those that comes before a noun
relative pronoun
a word such as who, which, that or whose that begins a clause describing a noun
preposition
a word such as under or behind that is followed by a noun phrase
subordinating conjunction
a word such as because or although that begins a subordinate clause
co-ordinating conjunction
a word such as and, but, or or so that joins two main clauses
subject
the person or thing that does the action of a verb
object
the person or thing that receives the action of a verb
antonym
a word with the opposite meaning

Exercise 1Z  Check-up

1
Which word is a determiner in: Some children arrived early. Choose one: Some, arrived or early.
2
Write the relative pronoun in: The boy whose bike was stolen reported it. Write one word.
3
Which word is an adverb of place in: The rabbit hopped away. Choose one: rabbit, hopped or away.
4
Which word is a preposition in: The cat sat on the mat. Choose one: sat, cat or on.
5
Write the subordinating conjunction in: I will wait until you are ready. Write one word.
6
Copy the main clause from: Although it was dark, the owl was hunting.
7
Write the object in: The class painted a huge mural.
8
Tick the co-ordinating conjunctions in: Ben and Tia went, but not far. Words: Ben | and | Tia | went | but | not | far. Write the words you would tick, in the order they appear.
9
Give an antonym of wealthy.
10
Which word means the same as frightened? Choose one: scared, calm or curious.

Total 15 marks. Allow about 15 minutes.

Exercise 1X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich word is a demonstrative determiner in: That painting is my favourite. Choose one: painting, favourite or That.[1 mark]
2
FWrite the personal pronoun that is the object in: The teacher praised him for his effort. Write one word.[1 mark]
3
FWhich word is a conjunction in: We can walk or we can cycle. Choose one: walk, cycle or or.[1 mark]
4
PSCopy the subordinate clause from: The shop closed early because the power failed.[2 marks]
5
PSWrite one sentence with a main clause and a subordinate clause that starts with when.[2 marks]
6
PSWrite the subject of: After the match, the players shook hands with the referee.[1 mark]
7
FWhich word is an adverb of time in: The class will finish soon. Choose one: class, finish or soon.[1 mark]
8
PSTick the relative pronouns in: The park which we visited had a lake that sparkled. Words: park | which | visited | lake | that | sparkled. Write the words you would tick, in the order they appear.[2 marks]
9
PSRewrite this sentence, replacing the old bridge with a pronoun: We crossed the old bridge carefully.[2 marks]
10
RExplain why those is a determiner in Those boots are wet.[2 marks]
Chapter 2: Verb forms: tense, modal verbs, the perfect and the subjunctive →

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