Grade 8 Reading & writing diagnostic

15 questions on reading comprehension, writing and grammar & vocabulary, plus 3 from Grade 7. Answer what you can, then check your answers to see which topics are secure and what to practise next.

15 questions3 topicsAbout 15 minutesSet 4 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? The atmosphere or feeling a text creates for a reader.

A. ResolutionB. ForeshadowingC. ToneD. Mood

2Reading comprehensionWhat mistaken conclusion did the student first draw?

A. More sources might help.B. The archive had gaps.C. Home-based work had been rare.D. Workshop records existed.

3Reading comprehensionMina packed a sandwich, water and a raincoat. She checked the trail map before leaving for a walk. What suggests she was prepared for rain?

A. She packed a raincoatB. She wore sandalsC. She packed a sandwichD. She checked the time

4Reading comprehensionText: Leo took an umbrella after seeing dark clouds. Which is directly stated?

A. Leo hates sunshine.B. It certainly rained.C. Leo took an umbrella.D. The street flooded.

5WritingWhich is a claim rather than raw data?

A. The library closes at 4 pm.B. Twenty visitors arrived after 3 pm.C. The school should extend library hours.D. The survey had 60 responses.

6WritingWriting and argument: which term fits this description? The central claim an analytical or argumentative text develops.

A. ThesisB. CitationC. TransitionD. Purpose

7WritingWhich item normally needs attribution in an academic essay?

A. Your own choice of headingB. The number of paragraphs in your draftC. Your own original observation, identified as suchD. A distinctive argument developed by another author

8WritingAn original sentence says an approach “may help.” Which rewrite changes its certainty?

A. The approach could help.B. The approach always works.C. It might be useful.

9Grammar & vocabularyEnglish grammar essentials: which term fits this description? The part of a clause that states something about the subject.

A. SuffixB. PredicateC. PrepositionD. Phrase

10Grammar & vocabularyWhich punctuation most clearly marks an interruption here: I was about to speak ___ the lights went out.

A. an em dashB. an apostropheC. a slashD. a decimal point

11Grammar & vocabularyWhich word is a verb?

A. greenB. chairC. happinessD. jump

12Grammar & vocabularyWhich mark normally ends a direct written question in English?

A. .B. ?C. ,D. ;

From Grade 7

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

13Grammar & vocabulary (Grade 7)Which word means able to be washed?

A. washingB. washerC. washableD. unwashed

14Reading comprehension (Grade 7)Which tray fits an object whose owner cannot explain the fault?

A. no tray is possibleB. needs more informationC. ready to repair automaticallyD. repaired already

15Grammar & vocabulary (Grade 7)In misread, mis- most directly means

A. incorrectlyB. againC. beforeD. carefully