Grade 6 Reading & writing diagnostic

15 questions on reading comprehension, writing and grammar & vocabulary, plus 3 from Grade 5. 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 comprehensionReading and literary analysis: which term fits this description? A meaningful contrast between what is expected, stated or understood and what actually occurs or is meant.

A. AntagonistB. InferenceC. IronyD. Theme

2Reading comprehensionWhich claim is safest without more context?

A. The poet was always uncertain.B. Every reader must feel happy.C. The poem records a legal confession.D. The speaker sounds uncertain in this line.

3Reading comprehensionA later paragraph contradicts your first inference. What should you do?

A. Keep the first inference because it came first.B. Stop reading all evidence.C. Ignore the paragraph.D. Revise the inference using the new evidence.

4Reading comprehensionWhat happened to the notice after the redesign?

A. It was never mentioned.B. It became the printer.C. It was the only change.D. It remained in place.

5WritingWriting and argument: which term fits this description? A sentence that establishes the main focus of a paragraph.

A. TransitionB. Topic sentenceC. AudienceD. Quotation

6WritingWhich transition introduces a contrast?

A. for exampleB. similarlyC. howeverD. first

7WritingWhich is the main purpose of a summary?

A. Keep every sentence in the same order.B. Add unsupported conclusions.C. Condense the main ideas.

8WritingWriting and argument: which term fits this description? A language style suited to more official or academic contexts.

A. PurposeB. ReasoningC. EvidenceD. Formal register

9Grammar & vocabularyEnglish grammar essentials: which term fits this description? A word with an opposite meaning in a particular context.

A. AntonymB. NounC. InterjectionD. Predicate

10Grammar & vocabularyWhich sentence avoids an unnecessary apostrophe in a plural?

A. Three buses arrived.B. Three bus's arrived.C. Three buse's arrived.D. Three buses' arrived.

11Grammar & vocabularyWhich word names a person who teaches?

A. retaughtB. teachableC. teacherD. teaching

12Grammar & vocabularyWrite the simple past of catch.

Your answer

From Grade 5

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

13Grammar & vocabulary (Grade 5)Choose the present-tense verb: Each box ___ a label.

A. wereB. haveC. hasD. having

14Reading comprehension (Grade 5)What did the pupils deliberately change?

A. the paper's folded shapeB. the counter materialC. the book titlesD. the gap and paper type

15Grammar & vocabulary (Grade 5)Write the simple past form of the verb go.

Your answer