Grade 5 Reading & writing diagnostic

15 questions on reading comprehension, writing and grammar & vocabulary, plus 3 from Grade 4. Answer what you can, then check your answers to see which topics are secure and what to practise next.

15 questions3 topicsAbout 15 minutesSet 3 of 5

Skip a question if you do not know the answer. It is better than guessing, because it shows what to practise.

1Reading comprehensionText: The pot was empty, although crumbs covered the table. Which conclusion goes beyond the evidence?

A. Something may have been eaten.B. There were crumbs on the table.C. Four people ate biscuits.D. The pot was empty.

2Reading comprehensionWhat did the new roster assign?

A. a price for each leafB. a named person for each dayC. a new classroom numberD. one plant colour

3Reading comprehensionHow many seeds were there at first?

Your answer

4Reading comprehensionI have told you a million times uses

A. a map scaleB. hyperboleC. a bibliographyD. a precise count necessarily

5WritingWhich phrase states a cause?

A. because the hinge was looseB. meanwhileC. for instanceD. in contrast

6WritingWriting and argument: which term fits this description? A word, phrase or sentence that connects ideas.

A. ReasoningB. PurposeC. TransitionD. Editing

7WritingWhich detail best supports a paragraph about reducing classroom noise?

A. Felt pads on chair legs reduced scraping sounds.B. The classroom has four windows.C. The wall is pale blue.D. The chairs were delivered in April.

8WritingWriting and argument: which term fits this description? Information that identifies a source used in a piece of work.

A. CounterargumentB. ReasoningC. CitationD. Coherence

9Grammar & vocabularyChoose the simple past: Yesterday we ___ the answer.

A. foundB. findingC. findD. finds

10Grammar & vocabularyEnglish grammar essentials: which term fits this description? A meaningful element added before a base word.

A. ConjunctionB. AdjectiveC. PrefixD. Homophone

11Grammar & vocabularyChoose the correct form: ___ going to rain.

A. ItsB. Its’C. It’sD. It

12Grammar & vocabularyWrite the plural of box.

Your answer

From Grade 4

These questions check skills from the grade below, so gaps can be spotted early.

13Grammar & vocabulary (Grade 4)In Birds build nests, which word is the action verb?

Your answer

14Reading comprehension (Grade 4)What was wrong with Jo's book?

A. it had no picturesB. it was too shortC. the cover was greenD. a page was loose

15Grammar & vocabulary (Grade 4)Which word completes The dog ___ under the chair in the present tense?

A. restB. restsC. restingD. have rested