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SATs practice · Year 6Chapter 9 · Practice papers: grammar and punctuation, and spelling
Year 6 · Chapter 9

Practice papers: grammar and punctuation, and spelling

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Answer grammar and punctuation items in the order of a paper
  • Answer spelling items in the order of a paper
  • Use the feedback sheet to review each statement
  • Keep to the practice timing guide

You should already know

  • Chapters 1 to 8 of this book

Where this leads

  • Year 6 SATs practice in other books of this series

KS2 SATs practice for grammar, punctuation and spelling (Year 6). Original questions in the style of the national tests. Content: Practise the grammar and punctuation statements from chapters 1 to 6 in a short passage (Year 5-6 grammar and punctuation), Practise the spelling statements from chapters 7 and 8 in a list of sentences (Year 5-6 spelling), Use the feedback sheet to see which statement each item tests (practice guide).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the subject of this sentence: Ruby ran. Write one word.
2
FWhich word is an adjective in: a tall tree? Choose one: a, tall or tree.
3
FWrite the plural of child. Write one word.
4
FWhich spelling is correct? Choose one: necessary or neccessary.
5
FWrite the word that joins the two main clauses in: We ran and we jumped. Write one word.
9.1

Paper A, part one: the passage and questions 1 to 15

Year 6
Practise the grammar and punctuation statements from chapters 1 to 6, in a short passage (Year 5-6 grammar and punctuation)
Video lesson: Paper A, part one: the passage and questions 1 to 15Coming 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.

Paper A guide

Paper A: grammar and punctuation. Read the passage first, then answer the questions in order. The practice guide allows 45 minutes for Paper A, with 15 minutes for Paper B. This is a guide, not the official timing.

Each question names the statement it tests. Use the feedback sheet in part 9.3 after you finish.

Sports day at Hawthorn Primary

On Thursday morning, the field was busy. Mr Patel, who runs the sports club, had marked the lanes with white chalk. The children arrived early, because the sun was already warm.

Firstly, the Year 3 pupils raced across the grass. Secondly, the Year 5 pupils took part in the relay, and their teacher cheered from the side. Finally, everyone gathered for the prize-giving.

"Who is ready for the final race?" asked Ms Osei. Several hands shot up at once. Ruby, who had trained every lunchtime, stretched her legs and waited at the line. Her friend Tomas, however, was nervous, because he had never run in front of a crowd.

When the whistle blew, the runners set off. Ruby took the lead; Tomas stayed close behind. By the bend, the crowd was on its feet.

Later that afternoon, the head teacher handed out the medals. "Well done to everyone," she said. "You have shown great courage and teamwork." Tomas, who had finished third, grinned and waved his medal in the air.

Key ideas

  • Read the whole passage before you answer.
  • Each answer is short: a word, a phrase, a sentence or a mark.
  • Check each answer against the passage.
Worked example 9.1.1
In the passage, write the determiner in: On Thursday morning, the field was busy.

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

  1. Find the noun. Field is the noun.
    field
  2. Look at the word before it. The comes before field.
    the
  3. Check the others. Busy is an adjective, and On Thursday morning is an adverbial.
    the
  4. Write the answer.
    the

Check. the comes before field. ✓

Worked example 9.1.2
In the passage, write the relative pronoun in: Mr Patel, who runs the sports club, had marked the lanes.

Method. A relative pronoun begins a clause that describes a noun.

  1. Find the clause. Who runs the sports club describes Mr Patel.
    who runs the sports club
  2. Find the first word. Who is the relative pronoun.
    who
  3. Write the answer.
    who

Check. who describes Mr Patel. ✓

Worked example 9.1.3
In the passage, write the subordinate clause in: The children arrived early, because the sun was already warm.

Method. A subordinate clause starts with a subordinating conjunction.

  1. Find the conjunction. Because starts the subordinate clause.
    because
  2. Copy the clause. It runs to the end of the sentence.
    because the sun was already warm
  3. Write the answer.
    because the sun was already warm

Check. it cannot stand alone. ✓

Exercise 9A  Paper A: questions 1 to 15

1
FWrite the determiner in: On Thursday morning, the field was busy. Write one word.
2
FWrite the relative pronoun in: Mr Patel, who runs the sports club, had marked the lanes with white chalk. Write one word.
3
FWrite the adverbial of number that begins the sentence: Firstly, the Year 3 pupils raced across the grass. Write one word.
4
FWrite the subordinate clause in: The children arrived early, because the sun was already warm.
5
PSRewrite in the passive, keeping the same meaning: Mr Patel had marked the lanes with white chalk.
6
FWhich mark joins the two main clauses in: Ruby took the lead; Tomas stayed close behind. Choose one: a comma, a semi-colon or a colon.
7
FWhich sentence is punctuated correctly? Choose one: Ms Osei asked, "Who is ready for the final race?", Ms Osei asked "Who is ready for the final race." or Ms Osei asked, "Who is ready for the final race"..
8
FWrite the fronted adverbial in: Later that afternoon, the head teacher handed out the medals.
9
FWrite the word that begins the relative clause in: Ruby, who had trained every lunchtime, stretched her legs. Write one word.
10
PSWrite a synonym for nervous that fits the passage. Write one word.
11
PSReplace Ruby with a pronoun in: Ruby took the lead. Write the pronoun only.
12
PSWrite the preposition in: By the bend, the crowd was on its feet. Write one word.
13
FWrite the possessive determiner in: Tomas, who had finished third, grinned and waved his medal in the air. Write one word.
14
PSWhich word in the passage is a determiner? Choose one: Tomas, grinned or his.
15
RWrite one sentence about the race, using a semi-colon to join two main clauses.
9.2

Paper A, part two: questions 16 to 30

Year 6
Practise the grammar and punctuation statements from chapters 1 to 6, in a short passage (Year 5-6 grammar and punctuation)
Video lesson: Paper A, part two: questions 16 to 30Coming soon
Story. The second half of Paper A returns to the same passage. Read the passage again, and check each answer against it.

Paper A guide

Questions 16 to 30 use the same passage. Use the passage to find each sentence.

Key ideas

  • Check the answer against the passage.
  • Tenses, verb forms and punctuation are tested in this part.
  • Give the answer in the form the question asks for.
Worked example 9.2.1
Write the subject of this sentence from the passage: The crowd was on its feet. Write the subject only.

Method. The subject does or is the thing in the sentence.

  1. Find the verb. Was is the verb.
    was
  2. Ask who or what. The crowd is what was on its feet.
    The crowd
  3. Write the answer.
    The crowd

Check. the crowd is the subject. ✓

Worked example 9.2.2
Rewrite so the tense is consistent: Ruby takes the lead, and Tomas stayed close behind. Write the corrected sentence.

Method. The first verb is present, so the second verb must be present too.

  1. Find the present verb. Takes is in the present tense.
    takes
  2. Change the other verb. Stayed becomes stays.
    stays
  3. Write the answer.
    Ruby takes the lead, and Tomas stays close behind.

Check. both verbs are present. ✓

Worked example 9.2.3
Write the fronted adverbial of place in: By the bend, the crowd was on its feet.

Method. A fronted adverbial of place tells where.

  1. Find the place. By the bend tells where the crowd was.
    By the bend
  2. Check the comma. The comma follows bend.
    By the bend,
  3. Write the answer.
    By the bend

Check. by the bend tells where. ✓

Exercise 9B  Paper A: questions 16 to 30

1
FWrite the subject of: The crowd was on its feet. Write the subject only.
2
FWrite the object of: Mr Patel had marked the lanes with white chalk. Write the object only.
3
PSRewrite in the passive: The head teacher handed out the medals. Keep the head teacher as the agent.
4
FTick the relative pronouns in: Ruby, who had trained every lunchtime, stretched her legs. Words: Ruby | who | had | trained | lunchtime | stretched | legs. Write the words you would tick, in the order they appear.
5
FWhich version is more formal? Choose one: You have shown great courage and teamwork. or You've got loads of courage and teamwork..
6
PSAdd an ellipsis to show a pause: "Well done to everyone," she said. Write the corrected speech.
7
PSAdd a hyphen: a well known head teacher. Write the corrected phrase.
8
PSInsert a colon: Three races were planned the sprint, the relay and the long jump. Write the corrected sentence.
9
FInsert the correct end mark: What a brilliant run Write the corrected sentence.
10
PSWrite a word from the passage that is an antonym of warm. Accept the opposite of warm. Write one word.
11
PSPut these sentences in the order that makes the links work. A: Finally, everyone gathered for the prize-giving. B: Firstly, the Year 3 pupils raced. C: Secondly, the Year 5 pupils took part in the relay. Write the letters in order.
12
PSWrite the subordinating conjunction in: Tomas, however, was nervous, because he had never run in front of a crowd. Write one word.
13
FWrite the determiner in: Her friend Tomas, however, was nervous. Write one word.
14
RExplain in one sentence why the writer might use the passive in "Medals were given out", with no agent.
15
RRewrite using the past perfect for the earlier event: Tomas lost his cap. He found it by the bend. Write the first sentence in the past perfect.
9.3

Paper B: spelling, and the feedback sheet

Year 6
Practise the spelling statements from chapters 7 and 8, in a list of sentences (Year 5-6 spelling)
Video lesson: Paper B: spelling, and the feedback sheetComing soon
Story. Paper B is a short spelling section. It has 20 items, and the practice guide allows 15 minutes.

Paper B guide

Each item tests one spelling statement from chapter 7 or 8. Choose the correct spelling, or write the corrected word. This is a practice format, not the official test.

Key ideas

  • Choose the correct spelling, or write the corrected word.
  • Check the rule in chapter 7: prefix, suffix, homophone or silent letter.
  • Check the word list in chapter 8 for words on the list.
Worked example 9.3.1
Which spelling is correct? Write one word: necessary or neccessary?

Method. Check the double letters and the single letters.

  1. Read both spellings. One has one c and two s letters.
    necessary
  2. Check the list. Necessary is on the Year 5-6 list.
    necessary
  3. Write the answer. The correct spelling is necessary.
    necessary
  4. Write the answer.
    necessary

Check. necessary has one c and two s. ✓

Worked example 9.3.2
Add the prefix dis- to appear. Write the word.

Method. Add the prefix to the start of the root.

  1. Find the prefix. Dis- means not.
    dis-
  2. Join it to the root. Dis- and appear make disappear.
    disappear
  3. Check the letters. No letters are lost or doubled.
    disappear
  4. Write the answer.
    disappear

Check. disappear means not appear. ✓

Worked example 9.3.3
Which word is the correct homophone in: The storm will ___ the match. Write affect or effect.

Method. Affect is the verb, to change.

  1. Find the job of the word. The storm will change the match, so it is a verb.
    will ___
  2. Choose the verb. Affect is the verb.
    affect
  3. Write the answer.
    affect

Check. affect is the verb. ✓

Exercise 9C  Paper B: twenty spelling items

1
FWhich spelling is correct? Choose one: necessary or neccessary.
2
FWhich spelling is correct? Choose one: definitely or definately.
3
FWhich spelling is correct? Choose one: receive or recieve.
4
FWhich spelling is correct? Choose one: separate or seperate.
5
FWhich spelling is correct? Choose one: occasion or occassion.
6
FFind the one misspelt word and write it correctly: Your excelent drawing won a prize.
7
FFind the one misspelt word and write it correctly: The goverment made a new law.
8
FFind the one misspelt word and write it correctly: The pronounciation of the word was tricky.
9
FFind the one misspelt word and write it correctly: The vehical was parked by the gate.
10
PSFind the one misspelt word and write it correctly: We need a room to accomodate the guests.
11
PSAdd the suffix -ful to beauty, changing y to i. Write the word.
12
PSAdd the suffix -al to nature, using a natural adjective. Write the word.
13
PSAdd the suffix -able to read. Write the word.
14
PSWrite the noun from confident, ending in -ence. Write one word.
15
PSWhich word fits: Please ___ your spellings every day. Choose one: practise or practice.
16
PSWhich word fits: Daily ___ makes a musician better. Choose one: practise or practice.
17
PSWhich word means not moving? Choose one: stationary or stationery.
18
PSWhich spelling is correct? Choose one: dictionary or dictionery.
19
PSWrite the silent letter in knife. Write the letter only.
20
PSWrite the word for a small piece of land with water all around it. It has a silent s. Write one word.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod

Can you…?

    Key terms

    Exercise 9Z  Check-up

    1
    Which spelling is correct? Choose one: vegetable or vegtable.
    2
    Write the relative pronoun in: The bike that we borrowed is red. Write one word.
    3
    Which is the correct form? If I ___ you, I would ask for help. Choose one: were or was.
    4
    Insert the comma: After the lesson the children went home. Write the corrected sentence.
    5
    Write the passive of: The dog chased the cat.
    6
    Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Choose one: "Stop," shouted Ben., "Stop." shouted Ben. or Stop, shouted Ben..
    7
    Write the adverbial of time in: On Saturday we will visit the museum. Write the words only.
    8
    Which word means the same as tired? Choose one: weary or lively.
    9
    Find the one misspelt word and write it correctly: The bargin at the market was good.
    10
    Write one sentence with a semi-colon that joins two main clauses.

    Total 17 marks. Allow about 17 minutes.

    Exercise 9X  Practice test questions

    1
    FWhich spelling is correct? Choose one: beautiful or beautifull.[1 mark]
    2
    FWrite the determiner in: Those apples look ripe. Write one word.[1 mark]
    3
    PSWrite the subordinate clause in: We stayed inside because the rain was heavy.[2 marks]
    4
    PSInsert a semi-colon: The sky darkened the thunder rolled across the hills. Write the corrected sentence.[2 marks]
    5
    FWhich is the correct verb form? By the time we got home, our dog ___ asleep. Choose one: had fallen or has fallen.[1 mark]
    6
    PSWrite the passive of: The children planted the seeds. Write the sentence.[2 marks]
    7
    PSWrite the object of the verb in: The baker sold bread, cakes and buns.[1 mark]
    8
    PSFind the one misspelt word and write it correctly: The team did a long fysical warm-up.[2 marks]
    9
    FWhich uses a pair of dashes correctly? Choose one: The cat – sleepy and warm – sat by the fire., The cat – sleepy and warm sat by the fire. or The cat sleepy – and warm – sat by the fire..[2 marks]
    10
    RExplain in one sentence why a comma is needed before and in: Dad cooked the rice, and we set the table.[3 marks]
    ← Chapter 8: The Year 5-6 word list and spelling correction

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