Download SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers

SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
Answers for the SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) are given below. Where an
alternative answer is possible, it is flagged. Tips for pupils who get a question wrong
are also included.
1 Circle the words in the sentences below that need a capital letter.
I am going to Italy on holiday in August. I am going with Sam’s family.
Accept any correctly capitalised proper noun. Pupils should demonstrate that
they understand when a noun needs a capital letter.
2 The four sentences below have missing verbs. Join each verb to its sentence.
We have fun when we go shopping.
I wonder if they are going home.
I know that she is fond of you.
This game has been very rough.
TIP:
The subject needs to agree with the verb in both number and person.
3 Add one word from the list below to form the correct past simple tense.
I did my homework before I went out.
4 Add the most suitable conjunction from the list to the sentence.
Last night, I didn’t to my gym class because I wasn’t feeling well.
TIP:
A co-ordinating conjunction joins two main clauses of equal weight. If one clause
is dependent on the other, a subordinating conjunction is used.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
5 Complete the sentences below using ‘I’ or ‘me’ in the correct places.
Nan gave Jamie and me some pocket money.
Even if it’s cold, Bethany and I like going outside.
Dad told me to wash the car on Saturday.
TIP:
A common mistake is to use ‘Jamie and I’ in the first sentence. The personal
pronoun changes depending on whether it is the subject or object. This can be
demonstrated by removing ‘Jamie and’ from the sentence; ‘Nan gave me some
pocket money,’ is correct, whereas ‘Nan gave I...’ is not.
6 Change the command below into a question.
Command:
‘Get my purse from the table!’
Question: ‘(Please) will you / could you / would you get my purse from the
table?’
Accept any form of words that turns the command into a correctly punctuated
question.
7 Tick one box to show where a question mark should go.
‘I want to go shopping,’ I told Mum. ‘Can we go now?’
TIP:
The question mark punctuates the question, wherever it is in the sentence.
8 Draw lines to match the words below with their most likely punctuation. Use
each punctuation mark ONCE.
I bought a new book.
Get out of the water!
Can you get my ball?
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
9 Are the underlined words in the sentence nouns or adjectives?
I am going to the match at the football stadium, which will be very exciting.
noun
match
stadium
adjective


exciting

TIP:
A noun can often be identified because a determiner is being used with it e.g.
‘the’ (the dog). An adjective will come after the determiner and before the noun
(the lazy dog), or after the linking verb e.g. ‘to be’ (the dog is lazy).
10 Which sentence uses the correct plural?
Are all the womens in the coach yet?
A pack of wolfs is running in the wood.
He saw a herd of reindeer on the hill.

There are many volcanos in Italy.
TIP:
Some nouns change completely or do not change at all in their plural form.
11 Which pair of pronouns best completes the sentence below?
They had lost their football over the fence, and the man who lived next door
wouldn’t give it back to them.
TIP:
Pronouns change form depending on whether they being are used as the subject
or object of a sentence.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
12 Choose the most suitable conjunction to put in each place in the sentence.
Because it was cold, Jack wore a scarf as he hated having freezing ears;
Ben, however, didn’t mind the cold.
TIP:
This is a multi-clause (complex) sentence. A main clause is preceded by a
fronted adverbial (subordinate) clause, and followed by a further clause joined to
it with a semicolon.
13 Find one word that can complete both sentences.
I looked at my watch to check the time.
She loves to watch the boats as they sail by.
TIP:
Homonyms can function as nouns, adjectives or verbs.
14 The following sentence uses ‘dull’ to describe ’my English lesson’. Find
another word to replace ‘dull’ that has a similar meaning.
I found my English lesson this morning dull.
Accept any word with a similar meaning to ‘dull’.
Note: The current SPaG papers published by the Standards and Testing Agency
do not use the terms ‘synonym’ and ‘antonym’ until Level 6. However, the terms
could be introduced to pupils in preparation for Level 6.
15 Underline all the adverbs in the following sentence.
I watched happily as the little lamb was carefully rescued and warmly
wrapped by the kindly shepherd.
TIP:
Not all words ending in ‘-ly’ are adverbs: ‘kindly’ is an adjective.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
16 Which sentence contains two verbs?
The boys are very willing helpers.
I asked him to find his school bag.

Are you going to your dance lesson?
Rob and Samir both play the piano well.
TIP:
The key issue is whether there are one or two actions in the sentence. In the
example, ‘to find’ is the infinitive form of the verb.
17 Which of these sentences uses commas correctly?
Everyone, starts the term with a pencil, a pen a
rubber a pencil sharpener, and a ruler.
Everyone starts the term with a pencil, a pen, a
rubber a pencil sharpener and a ruler.
Everyone starts the term, with a pencil, a pen, a
rubber, a pencil sharpener and a ruler.
Everyone starts the term with a pencil, a pen,
a rubber, a pencil sharpener and a ruler.

TIP:
A comma is not needed after the penultimate item in a list, unless omitting it
would make the list confusing.
18 In the passage below, change all the verbs from the present simple tense to
the past simple tense.
I reach (reached) out and catch (caught) the netball before it hits
(hit) the ground. Then I give (gave) it to Helen, who tells (told) me to
fetch the bibs. After I get (got) the bibs, she sends (sent) me on
another errand!
TIP:
The verbs used in this question aim to test pupils’ knowledge of spelling rules
when adding -ed, as well as use of verbs that have irregular past tense forms.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
19 Are the underlined words in the sentence nouns or verbs?
I will book a place on the city tour before I change my mind.
noun

book
place
tour
verb


change

TIP:
A noun will usually follow a determiner such as an article. A verb has a tense.
20 Circle the conjunction in the sentence below.
I want to stop swimming competitively when I have found another sport I
like.
TIP:
Subordinating conjunctions join subordinate clauses to main clauses.
21 Write a correctly punctuated question beginning with the word below.
Why have you stopped coming to see me?
Example given above; accept any sentence properly formed as a question and
punctuated with a question mark.
22 Write the correct singular or plural form for the nouns in the spaces below.
One key, a bunch of keys.
One shoe, a pair of shoes.
One mouse, two mice.
One mango, two mangoes.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
23 Underline all the adjectives in the sentence below.
I enjoy my daily exercise because I do it with friendly people in a beautiful,
modern gym.
TIP:
‘Daily’ is one of a small class of adjectives (others are early, fast, hard) which do
not change form depending on whether they are used adjectivally or adverbially.
24 Which of these sentences uses commas correctly?
Because, my granddad has no hair, he wears a
hat in winter to keep his head warm.
Because my granddad has no hair, he wears a
hat, in winter to keep his head warm.
Because my granddad has no hair, he wears
a hat in winter to keep his head warm.

Because my granddad has no hair, he, wears a
hat in winter, to keep his head warm.
TIP:
A comma is required after a fronted adverbial to make the meaning of the
sentence clear.
25 Underline all the nouns in the sentence below.
‘Your kindness and generosity,’ said the king, ‘have earned you a medal
this time.’
TIP:
The abstract nouns ‘kindness’ and generosity’ refer to a state of being. They are
preceded by the determiner (possessive) ‘your’ which provides a clue that they
are nouns.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
26 Which of the sentences below is punctuated correctly?
The last time I went to Westsea which (I like
as a holiday destination) it rained non-stop.
The last time I went to Westsea which I like
(as a holiday destination it rained non-stop).
The last time I went to Westsea (which I like
as a holiday destination) it rained non-stop.

The last time (I went to Westsea which I like)
as a holiday destination it rained non-stop.
TIP:
Brackets have been used to demarcate the embedded relative clause. Commas
or dashes could also have been used to demarcate this clause.
27 Which of these should be written as two separate sentences?
Lauren and I like dogs and cats.
Mel has no pets but Jess has several.
I went to bed late. I am tired now.

When I looked up there was no-one there.
TIP:
The sentence ticked consists of two main clauses which have been incorrectly
‘spliced’ with a comma. They could have been joined with a co-odinating
conjunction such as ‘but’, or with a semicolon.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
28 Which two of these sentences are statements?

I’d be grateful if you’d help me.
Would you like some more juice?
For goodness’ sake, stop it!

I don’t like to ask, but I really need a rest.
Take the money and run!
TIP:
Statements are punctuated with a full stop. Although these statements express a
wish or a want, they are not questions so they do not take a question mark.
29 Put three commas in the correct places in the sentence.
If you want to make a model, you will need a steady hand, patience,
perseverance and the right tools.
TIP:
A comma is not usually used before ‘and’ and the final item of a simple list
(although it’s not incorrect). A comma in this position is called an Oxford (or
serial) comma; it can be used to clarify the last two items of a more complex list.
30 Put a letter in each box to show the word class.
A
B
C
D
noun
verb
adjective
adverb
The sad boy walked slowly through the playground.
C
A
B
D
A
31 The word ‘bark’ has different meanings. Write two sentences that show the
different meanings.
Accept any sentences that demonstrate a different meaning of the homonym
‘bark’ e.g. The dog barks (verb). A tree trunk is covered with bark (noun).
Do not accept sentences that use the same function of the word in two different
contexts e.g. That dog is barking again. He barks all the time.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
32 Rewrite the sentence below using a more effective word than ‘went’.
‘I’ll never forgive you!’ yelled Georgia, angrily, as she (e.g. stormed,
stomped) out of the room.
Accept any appropriate verb to replace ‘went’, given the context of the sentence.
33 Write two different adverbs in the spaces below to add to the description of
what Mark is doing.
Mark thudded (e.g. angrily) across the room and flung the door open, which
crashed (e.g. hard) against the wall.
Accept any appropriate adverbs (or adverbial phrases) which complete the
sentence.
TIP:
The sentence lends itself to using adverbs of manner, so pupils may need to
demonstrate their knowledge of spelling rules e.g. lazy / lazily. Not all adverbs of
manner end with -ly.
34 Which words are nearest in meaning to the opposite of ‘courteous’?
careful / thoughtful
rude / impolite

difficult / hard
sweet / gentle
TIP:
Encourage pupils to read the questions carefully. Both antonyms and synonyms
of ‘courteous’ are given here, but the antonym is what is required.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
35 Use the correct form of the verb to complete the sentences from the choices
in the table.
Tiny acorns become mighty trees.
Nobody goes there these days.
She does want to come with me.
They know it was wrong to do that.
TIP:
The subject needs to agree with verb in number and person.
36 Underline the prepositions in the sentence below
As she walked across the field, she stumbled on the rough ground.
TIP:
Prepositional phrases can be used adjectivally, to modify nouns, or adverbially, to
modify verbs. They often form part of a subordinate clause.
37 Use a contraction to replace the words underlined and write them in the
spaces in the sentences below.
If you don’t hurry up, I won’t take you to town.
You could’ve said that you’d help me.
TIP:
The apostrophe replaces the omitted letter or letters in the contraction in the
position where the letter(s) have been omitted.
38 Underline which of these words makes ‘gentle’ an adverb.
gent gentlest gently gentler gentleness
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
39 Rewrite the passage below adding appropriate punctuation.
Luke was going to see his friend, Nick. As it was a long way, he decided to
take his bike, which was leaning against the gate.
Suggested revision:
There are two main clauses in the passage lending themselves to forming two
sentences. They could be separated by a semi colon after ‘Nick’. The name ‘Nick’
is demarcated with a comma as this marks off a part of the sentence that is not
essential (the boy’s name). The second main clause is preceded by a fronted
adverbial punctuated by a comma. The relative clause starting ’which’ should
also be separated from the main clause with a comma because it is nonrestrictive (it provides additional information that could be omitted from the
sentence, so a comma is required).
40 Is the apostrophe in each sentence one of omission or possession?
omission
‘It’s very difficult to choose!’ said Mum.
possession

The book, which was Jerry’s, was torn.

The girls’ bedrooms were a mess.

TIP:
Whether an apostrophe denotes possession or omission depends on the word
and its function, and not on its position in the sentence.
41 Punctuate the following direct speech correctly by adding inverted commas.
‘If you get any closer to the edge,’ said Harry, ‘I will get cross. I think,’ he
added, ‘we should find the path.’
Accept either single or double inverted commas, as long as one type is used
consistently.
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
42 Put a tick in the correct column to show whether the underlined words are the
main clause or the subordinate clause.
main
clause
Sara, who has always been my best
friend, moved away last summer.
subordinate
clause

Even if you try to make me, I won’t do my
practice.

That book, which you borrowed from the
library, is overdue.

I’d quite like to speak to you when you
have time.

TIP:
One subordinate clause is a relative clause modifying the subject of the sentence
(that book) adjectivally. The other subordinate clause is an adverbial clause of
condition placing a condition under which the main clause might happen.
43 Add a prefix (a letter or group of letters) to the beginning of each word to give
it an opposite meaning.
religious
irreligious
legitimate
illegitimate
imaginable
unimaginable
numerable
innumerable
SPaG Level 3-5 Practice Test (Set 3) - Answers
44 Circle the word in the list that is closest in meaning to ‘appropriate’ in the
sentence below.
He got an appropriate sum of money for the work done.
poor
best
suitable
inadequate
TIP:
Encourage pupils to read the question carefully. Both antonyms and synonyms of
‘appropriate’ are given here, but the synonym is what is required.
45 Put a tick in the correct column to show whether the underlined part of each
sentence is a phrase or a clause.
phrase

As we got out of the plane, we were amazed
by the beauty of the island.
The velvet-leaved trees waved gently in the
scented tropical breeze.


The sun, which was beaming down from a
clear blue sky, enfolded us in warmth.
We looked around, marvelling at the rich and
varied plant and animal life in this paradise.
clause

TIP:
Clauses contain verbs but phrases do not.
46 The sentence below contains several examples of an article. Underline each
one.
An elephant, a cheetah and a lion sat down one day to discuss who would
be king of the jungle.
TIP:
Words such as ‘a’ and ‘the’ are articles; they appear before the noun they refer
to, and they make the noun specific. Articles are one type of determiner.