Test 1

(H)

1 Edit the text below using punctuation to make the meaning clear:

Out Now New Interactive Xoris is the toy of the future you can collect it 1 P

swap it play with it and learn with it scan the base of the Xoris figure into 2 marks

your phone download the app and you can play virtual Xoris games with
other Xoris fans around the globe

2 Write a verb phrase of three or more words to complete the following sentence:
2 G

While we were talking, Zak taken to school. 1 mark

3 Rewrite this sentence as a passive:

Bullies were threatening the little boys. 3 G

1 mark

4 Combine the information in these sentences into one complex sentence that
includes a relative clause:
Most important point: The black cat is my favourite cat. 4 G

2 marks
Additional points: The black cat always sits on my homework.

The black cat is a nuisance.

5 Write endings to these sentences which make sense of the connective:

Until the dog was in his basket 5 G

Although the dog was in his basket 2 marks

As soon as the dog was in his basket

6 If a permeable material allows all liquids to pass through it, what do you think a
6 V
semipermeable material does?
1 mark

7 Circle the most appropriate word to use in the sentence below:

As they pushed their way across the glacier, they had to be aware of sudden 7 V

opening up. 1 mark

bridges voids crevices cavities

/10

Total for this test

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23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 36 25/7/12 10:43:55

 Test 2 (H)

1 Punctuate the sentences below in two ways to make two different meanings:
1 P
Taylor said Tammy is upset. Taylor said Tammy is upset.
2 marks

2 Read this text:

The ancient door creaked reluctantly open as the knocker was lifted and
released. A sound like gunshot echoed around the chamber, disturbing the
dust that had accumulated over the years. A single trail of footprints could
be seen.

(a) Underline a passive in the text above. 2(a) G

1 mark
(b) Write an adjectival phrase to describe the knocker. The description should
match the atmosphere: 2(b) G

1 mark

3 Draw an arrow to show where an appropriate adverbial should go in the sentence:

although consequently eventually moreover 3 G

1 mark

The watcher returned to his horse and galloped off, knowing that at least one
person knew what had happened all those years ago.

4 Correct the errors in this sentence:

All those years ago, it seems so easy. First, there were just one person standing 4 G

in his way. And then, there were no-one. 1 mark

5 Rewrite this sentence to show the possibility of something happening:

It will rain on Tuesday, so sports day will be held in the main hall. 5 G

1 mark

6 Tick the more formal sentence and underline the words that make it more formal:
I practise on my violin every night so I’m allowed to go to the concert. 6 G

Dad says he might take me to the concert, but I’m not sure that he will. 1 mark

7 Circle all the words that have a similar meaning:

7 V
complicated elaborate humble intricate straightforward 1 mark

8 Which suffix can be added to all of these nouns to turn them into adjectives? 8 V

1 mark
development education regiment
/10

Total for this test

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23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 37 25/7/12 10:43:55

 Test 3 (H)

1 Read this text:

New evidence suggests that the polar bear or sea bear evolved about
600,000 years ago from an ancestor shared with the brown bear it is
superbly adapted for survival in the far north.
1(a) P
(a) Clarify the text by adding punctuation, including punctuation to show parenthesis.
1 mark
(b) Write the noun phrase referred to by the word it: 1(b) G

2 The next paragraph in the text begins: 1 mark

polar bears have layers of fat under their thick winter fur
there is still a struggle for survival in the fierce Arctic winters especially for
pregnant females.

(a) Circle the best connective to begin this paragraph:

2(a) G
Although Eventually Indeed Thus 1 mark

(b) Add commas to punctuate the sentence. 2(b) P

1 mark
(c) Tick the two sentences you are likely to find in a text like the one above:
Polar bears are so cute. 2(c) G

Polar bears do not enter deep hibernation. 1 mark

Frisky the little polar bear trotted happily out into the bright Arctic sunshine.
Polar bears are usually solitary creatures.
You wouldn’t believe how many people think that polar bears hibernate.
(d) Is this text written in formal or informal sentences? 2(d) G

1 mark
3 Change the tense of this sentence. Edit parts of the verb phrase if necessary.
The female polar bear comes out of her den in the spring. 3 G

1 mark

4 Add a preposition to clarify the meaning in this sentence:

The polar bear looked and growled at the seals. 4 G

1 mark

5 How would you use hyphens to indicate a female polar bear about to have cubs?
mother to-be polar bear -mother-to-be-polar-bear 5 V

1 mark
mother-to-be polar bear mother to be polar-bear

6 Number these words in the order in which they are needed in the text below:
6 V

their there they’re Although polar bears look after 1 mark

cubs, not animals that like living
in groups out in the Arctic. /10

Total for this test

38 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 38 25/7/12 10:43:55

 Test 4 (H)

1 Add apostrophes to this sentence:

The teachers put the childrens work about Jupiters moons on display, then 1 P

shared their parents comments with the children. 1 mark

2 Use commas and brackets to clarify the meaning in this phrase:

Ganymede discovered by Galileo in 1610 is the biggest of Jupiter’s moons and 2 P

has a surface of ice more than 60 miles thick, 1 mark

3 (a) Circle the best connective to begin the next phrase in the text:
Io has a crust of solid sulphur and is covered with volcanoes. 3(a) G

1 mark

above all although until whereas

(b) Write a * to show where the clause which is Jupiter’s third biggest moon 3(b) G
could be inserted into the phrase in question 3(a) above.
1 mark

4 Place these nouns in the Venn diagram:

team truth pride loyalty swarm

abstract collective 4 G
nouns nouns 2 marks

5 Match each sentence with the correct description and text type:
Description Sentence Text type
informal Ensure that everything is clean. report 5 G
Well, I can’t tell you what 2 marks
passive happened next, can I? diary
Countries are expected to follow
command national treaties. instructions

6 The prefix uni- means one. Write three words containing uni- with this meaning: 6 V
1. 2. 3. 1 mark

7 Rewrite this sentence in the singular:

Children have to help our mums in the mornings by making sure our PE kits are 7 V
ready for school: T-shirts, shorts and plimsolls should all be ready and named. 1 mark

/10

Total for this test

39 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 39 25/7/12 10:43:56

 Test 5 (H)

1 Rewrite this text as direct speech:

I told Mum that we had a concert in the evening and she said that she was 1 P
sorry but she didn’t think they could come because Dad was working, but 2 marks
then Dad interrupted and said that he’d swap shifts so they could come.

2 Draw lines to match each sentence beginning to its correct ending:

Although only partial remains so Bruhathkayosaurus has
2 G
have been discovered, interested scientists.
2 marks
Because its shin bone was Bruhathkayosaurus is claimed to
discovered in Argentina, be the largest of all dinosaurs.
Just as T-Rex has captured the recently discovered dinosaur
the imagination of children, was called Argentinosaurus.

3 Rewrite this text in a formal manner, including at least one passive:

Dinosaur guys say that they can work out how ginormous some of those 3 G

biggies were just from one bone! How incredible is that? 2 marks

4 Write verb phrases to complete these sentences:

(a) Microraptor had feathered wings and believed 4(a) G
capable of flight. 1 mark

(b) Diplodocus once believed to be the longest dinosaur but this

4(b) G
now disproved. 1 mark

5 Circle the best word to fit the gap in this sentence:

The fossil record indicates that this was a attack on the smaller raptor. 5 V

1 mark

finish fragrant frenzied friction friendly

6 Draw three lines to match antonyms:

6 V
inhale injure influence 1 mark

recover ignore breath out /10

Total for this test

40 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 40 25/7/12 10:43:56

 Test 6 (H)

1 Punctuate the sentence below. Use each punctuation mark once

and tick them when you have used them: , 1 P

1 mark
It’s getting late put away your toys games and !
books and go to bed :

2 Add dashes to emphasise information in this sentence:

It’s up to you I can’t decide for you but I hope you make a 2 P

sensible decision. 1 mark

3 Read this text:

OK guys, listen up! You need to wage war on waste! This is too important for
you to ignore. Stop throwing things away when they’re broke or you’re bored.
Stop buying too much and binning the extra. You do agree that we’re using
the resources of our planet too fast, ?

(a) Write a question tag in the gap. 3(a) G

1 mark
(b) Give three reasons why this is classified as an informal text:
1.
3(b) G
2.
2 marks
3.
(c) From the text, give an example of each of the following:
a statement:
a question: 3(c) G

1 mark
a command:

4 Add pronouns and determiners to this text:

Jess wanted to be recycler, but could never find anything to

recycle; in house, everything was reused. Jamie was nine and wanted to
4 G
be engineer, so took everything repairable and repaired .
2 marks
Johnny was six and was smaller version of Jamie, so
reused all of old clothes. And as for Jet, was a canine rubbish bin!

5 Cross out the the words where re- is not a prefix:

5 V

react recreate registration reason rearrange 1 mark

6 Circle the four words which can be synonyms of novice: 6 V

1 mark
apprentice beginner capable learner pupil
/10

Total for this test

41 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 41 25/7/12 10:43:56

 Test 7 (H)

1 Draw a line from each sentence to the punctuation that should fill the gaps:
(a) The ducks arrived overnight in the garden a mallard drake : 1 P
and a female.
; 2 marks
(b) The ducks ate the bird seed the other birds were unhappy.
(c) The ducks who were always together patrolled the garden. ,

2 Write (F) beside the most formal sentence and (I) beside the most informal sentence:
The small grey cat was cute. I would say ‘please’ if I were you. 2 G

1 mark
D’you believe me now, then? The boys left their coats in the mud, again.

3 Combine these sentences into one complex sentence with a relative clause:
Most important point: The steeplechase runners had to run an extra lap. 3 G

2 marks
Additional points: An official forgot to count the laps.

In 1932 the Olympics were held in Los Angeles.

4 The last sentence of the first paragraph of a story is:

Forgetting where she was supposed to be going, Little Red Riding Hood started 4 G

to pick some flowers. 1 mark

Add an adverbial to begin the next paragraph, keeping cohesion with the first one:

the wolf ran to Grandma’s cottage and knocked at the door.

5 Add conjunctions to the next paragraph of the story. Choose from:

and because however so when while

no-one replied, the wolf cautiously lifted up the latch 5 G

1 mark
peered into the room. “Hello?” he called. There was still no response he
tiptoed to the foot of the stairs. he still heard nothing.

6 Write a prepositional phrase from the text in question 5: 6 G

1 mark
7 Write a better word to replaced walked in the sentence below: 7 V

Silently, she walked across the hall, past her brothers’ bedroom. 1 mark

8 V
8 Circle the best antonym (word with the opposite meaning) of courageous: 1 mark

audacious cowardly fearless ferocious /10

Total for this test

42 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 42 25/7/12 10:43:56

 Test 8 (H)

1 Punctuate the sentence below in two ways to make two different meanings:

The animals were hurt Lucy cried The animals were hurt Lucy cried 1 P

2 marks

2 Read this text:

After the forest fire there was … nothing. All life had been destroyed by the
fire. The boys looked around them in horror. They’d seen the forest fire on TV
but it hadn’t prepared them for this!

(a) Rewrite this sentence in the active voice: All life had been destroyed by the fire. 2(a) G

1 mark

(b) Underline the subject noun phrase in the sentence below:

2(b) G
They’d seen the forest fire on TV but it hadn’t prepared them for this! 1 mark

(c) Write an adjectival phrase to describe the boys. The description should match
2(c) G
the atmosphere:
1 mark

3 Underline the main clause in this the sentence:

The boys, who were on holiday with their parents, were stunned by the 3 G

destruction. 1 mark

4 Rewrite the following text in Standard English:

“That skirt don’t mean nothing to me,” said the girl. “Anyway, it’s like, 4 G

you know, it’s ruined.” 2 marks

5 Tick the best definition of the underlined word in the sentence:

The stormy seas have eroded the coastline. 5 V

1 mark
Eroded means ‘improved’. Eroded means ‘swapped’.
Eroded means ‘worn away.’ Eroded means ‘converted’.

6 Circle the two words with a meaning similar to potential in this sentence:

She has the potential to do well in her tests. 6 V

1 mark

ability skill effort willingness politeness

/10

Total for this test

43 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 43 25/7/12 10:43:56

 Test 9 (H)

1 Punctuate the following bullet points:

London boasts • the oldest underground in the world 1 P

• the oldest parliament in the world 2 marks

• lots of red buses

2 Write a connective and an adverb to fill the gaps in this sentence:

the longest tunnel in the world 2 G

brings water into New York, the shortest tunnel, Backbone Rock, was built as a 2 marks

railway tunnel to get timber out of the Cherokee National Forest.

3 Circle the most appropriate verb phrase to fill the gap in this sentence:
3 G
The railroad just before the First World War. 1 mark

had built has built had been built has been built

4 In the sentence below, draw a * to show where the noun phrase for which the
tunnel had been built could be inserted:
4 G
The timber was entirely used up by 1912 and the saw mill was
1 mark
moved to another location.

5 Match each sentence below with the correct description and text type:
Sentence Description Text type

Explode a tunnel through the rock. conditional report 5 G

A tunnel was exploded through 2 marks

the rock. passive biography
He thought he might be able to
explode a tunnel through the rock. command instructions

6 In the above sentences, the word tunnel is used as a noun. Write a sentence using
it as a verb: 6 V

1 mark

7 Circle the best word to fill the gap in this sentence:

Gold, silver, copper ore and other are taken from deep under 7 V

the earth. 1 mark

miners minions minerals minimums

/10

Total for this test

44 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 44 25/7/12 10:43:56

 Test 10 (H)

1 Add commas to this sentence:

1 P
When trees in rainforests are felled all of the creatures including the 1 mark
insects lose their homes.

2 (a) Punctuate the text below to clarify its meaning: 2(a) P

The trees are the toucans and monkeys homes, as well as their food source. 1 mark

2(b) G
(b) In the text above, underline the words referred to by their.
1 mark
3 (a) Circle a connective to maintain cohesion in the next paragraph of the same text:

the rainforest may be critical to the lives of the rainforest 3(a) G

creatures, it is also vital to the people who live on Planet Earth.
1 mark

Especially Indeed Therefore Although

(b) Underline a word which makes reference to the previous paragraph (which 3(b) G
was given in question 1).
1 mark
(c) Write two words from the sentence which are synonyms of significant: 3(c) G
1. 2. 1 mark

4 Write (A) beside each sentence written in the active voice and (P) beside each
sentence written in the passive voice:
(a) Strange and beautiful plants grow in the rainforest.
(b) When rainforests are destroyed, animals die. 4 G

(c) The happy hummingbirds were flitting busily from flower to flower. 1 mark

(d) Many rainforest plants are thought to have medicinal properties.

(e) Hundreds of acres of rainforest are destroyed every year.

5 Label each of the nouns below as either a collective noun (CL), a common noun
(CM), a proper noun (PR), or an abstract noun (AB).
5 G

1 mark

Sarah was telling the truth when she said that her group had painted the picture of the rainforest.

6 Change the tense of this sentence: The creatures need the rainforest to survive. 6 V

1 mark

7 Complete the table using words that are based on the noun consequence:
word class word 7 V
noun consequence 1 mark

adjective
adverb /10

Total for this test

45 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 45 25/7/12 10:43:56

 Test 11 (H)

1 Insert a comma and a semi-colon into the sentence below to clarify the meaning
of the sentence:

My friend constructed his model out of old boxes I decided to make 1 P

mine out of papier mâché for which I needed strips of newspaper, 2 marks
wallpaper paste, a bucket, an old paintbrush and protective clothing.

2 Rewrite this information in a formal manner. Include at least one passive:

You know male penguins? Those guys cuddle together in temperatures of 2 G

-60oC, with their eggs on their feet, just so the eggs don’t freeze! Talk about 2 marks
good fathers!

3 Rewrite this sentence with a subordinate clause at the beginning. Don’t forget
3 G
the punctuation:
2 marks
Male penguins keep warm by huddling together.

4 Write one word in each gap in this sentence:

4 G
The male penguins have been warmer if they
been in the ocean. 1 mark

5 On the lines below, write modal verbs to replace verb phrases in this sentence to
show possibility. Draw arrows to show where they should go:
5 G
The female penguins will arrive in the spring when the weather improves.
1 mark

6 Circle the best word to fit the gap in this sentence:

The feathers on the male penguin’s belly provide to keep his 6 V

egg warm. 1 mark

exposure insulation lining separation

7 Draw lines to match each word with its antonym (word with the opposite meaning):

colossal conclude experienced frenzied 7 V

1 mark

calm commence minute novice

/10

Total for this test

46 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012. You may photocopy this test.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 46 25/7/12 10:43:57

 Test 12 (H)

1 Write punctuation in five of the boxes. Include one dash.

Although Mount Everest 1 is the tallest mountain on land 2 it isn’t the highest mountain 3 on Earth 4

1 P

Mount Kea 5 a Hawaiian volcano 6 is 2,000m taller 7 than Everest 8 but 75 per cent of it is under water. 2 marks

Reorder the words and write them in the gaps to make grammatical sentences:
2
been drunk has enjoying have been

Chocolate for 4,000 years.

2 G
For 6,000 years, people tea.
1 mark

Fill in the box below using phrases from this sentence:

3
The tea plant needs to be at least three years old before any leaves can be plucked.

noun phrase
verb phrase 3 G

prepositional phrase 2 marks

adjectival phrase

Add an intensifying adverb (not ‘very’) to make the point more strongly:
4
Warning: Drinking strong coffee can be bad for you. 4 G

1 mark
Give one reason why this text is classed as formal:
5 According to legend, Quetzalcoatl, the mighty god of wind and the moon, gave
his people seeds from a cocoa tree. The Aztecs used the beans as currency and 5 G
they were offered up as precious gifts. 1 mark

Correct the text below to make it Standard English:

6
Mum and myself like tea. We drinks it every day. She drank it while I’m at school.
6 G

1 mark
Circle the word to fill the gap: rapacious rapid rapport rapturous
7
The coffee commercial received applause when it was launched.
7 V

1 mark
Draw lines to match the prefixes to the words:
im- ir-
legal regular consistent possible
/10
in- il-
Total for this test
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23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 47 25/7/12 10:43:57

 Mark Scheme (H)
Test 1 Test 3

accept punctuation that clarifies meaning, e.g: the polar bear, or sea bear,
Out Now! New Interactive Xoris is the toy of the future. brown bear. It is
1(a)
You can collect it, swap it, play with it and learn with (1 mark for two correct commas as well as a full stop
it. Scan the base of the Xoris figures into your phone, and a capital letter)
1
download the app and you can play virtual Xoris games
with other Xoris fans around the globe! 1(b) the polar bear
(2 marks for seven or more useful punctuation marks; 2(a) Although
1 mark for at least five punctuation marks)
winter fur,
2 e.g. could have been being (accept sensible alternatives) Arctic winters,
2(b)
3 The little boys were being threatened (by bullies). (1 mark for both commas)
(a comma may be given after ‘thick’ but is not essential)
Although the black cat who always sits on my home-
work is a nuisance, he is my favourite cat. (2 marks for Polar bears do not enter deep hibernation.
a concise sentence that includes all of the information, 2(c) Polar bears are usually solitary creatures.
4 (both required)
has a relative clause and emphasises that this cat is
the favourite one; 1 mark for a complex sentence which 2(d) formal
doesn’t prioritise the favourite cat)
3 polar bear came / had come / can come / will come
accept sensible answers which makes sense with the
given connective, e.g.: 4 e.g. down / up
Until the dog was in his basket, no one would feed him.
5 5 mother-to-be polar bear
Although the dog was in his basket, he was uncomfortable.
As soon as the dog was in his basket, he went to sleep. their: 1
(2 marks for three sensible sentences; 1 mark for two) 6 there: 3
they’re: 2
6 Allows some liquid to pass through it.
7 crevices

Test 2 Test 4
Taylor said, “Tammy is upset.” “Taylor,” said Tammy, “is children’s work
1
upset.” (1 mark for each correctly punctuated sentence) Jupiter’s moons
1
parents’ comments
2(a) was lifted and released; could be seen (accept either) (1 mark for three correct and no incorrect apostrophes)
accept an appropriate adjectival phrase e.g. the rusty (discovered by Galileo in 1610)
2(b)
iron knocker; the tarnished brass knocker 2 Jupiter’s moons,
(all required)
consequently the watcher
or 3(a) whereas
eventually the watcher
3
or 3(b) Io * has
and eventually galloped
(accept sensible alternatives) abstract: truth
4 collective: team, swarm
it (had) seemed so easy. both: pride, loyalty
there was just one
4 Ensure that everything is clean –
there was no-one
command, instructions
(all required for the mark)
Well, I can’t tell you what happened, can I? –
It may / could / might rain on Tuesday, so sports day may 5 informal, diary
5 Countries are expected to follow national treaties –
/ could / might be held in the main hall.
passive, report
box 1: I practise my violin every night so I’m allowed to (2 marks for all lines correct; 1 mark for four lines correct)
6
go to the concert.
6 Accept words such as: unique, universe, unicorn, unicycle
7 complicated; elaborate; intricate (all required)
A child has to help his / her / its mum in the morning
8 -al by making sure his / her / its PE kit is ready for school:
7
t-shirt, shorts and a plimsoll should all be ready and
named. (1 mark for all correct)
60 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 60 25/7/12 10:43:59

 Mark Scheme (H)

Test 5 Test 7

Accept a dialogue such as: (a) colon; (b) semi-colon; (c) two commas
1
“We’ve got a concert this evening,” I said to Mum. (2 marks for all correct; 1 mark for two correct)
“Sorry,” said Mum, “but I don’t think we can come
because Dad’s working.” (I): D’you believe me now, then?
2
1 “Well,” interrupted Dad, “what if I swap shifts so we (F): I would say ‘please’ if I were you.
can come?”
e.g. The steeplechase runners had to run an extra lap
(1 mark for layout with a new speaker on a new line
in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, because an official
and including all the main points; 1 mark for mostly
forgot to count the laps.
correct speech punctuation)
3 (2 marks for a concise sentence including all of the
Although only partial remains have been discovered, necessary information and emphasising that the steeple
Bruhathkayosaurus is claimed to be the largest of all chasers had to run an extra lap; 1 mark for a complex
dinosaurs. sentence which doesn’t prioritise the extra lap)
Because its shin bone was discovered in Argentina, the 4 Accept appropriate sequencing adverbials, e.g. Meanwhile
2
recently discovered dinosaur was called Argentinosaurus.
Just as T-Rex has captured the imagination of children, Accept answers that make sense, e.g.
so Bruhathkayosaurus has interested scientists. When no-one replied (accept: Because)
(2 marks for all three correct; 1 mark for one correct) and peered into
5
so he tiptoed
accept a formal text, e.g. Experts claim that the size of However he still
some large dinosaurs can be worked out from just one (1 mark for all correct)
3
bone. (1 mark for a formal text with all the required
information; 1 mark for a passive construction) any of: up the latch; into the room; to the foot of the
6
stairs
(a) and is / was believed to be / to have been capable
4 (b) Diplodocus was once believed 7 crept or tiptoed (accept sensible alternatives)
but this has now been disproved
8 cowardly
5 frenzied
inhale – breathe out; influence – ignore; injure – recover
6
(all required)

Test 6 Test 8
It’s getting late: put away your toys, games and books any of:
1
and go to bed! The animals were hurt; Lucy cried.
“The animals were hurt!” Lucy cried.
2 It’s up to you – I can’t decide for you – but 1
The animals were hurt. Lucy cried.
3(a) don’t you “The animals were hurt,” Lucy cried.
(1 mark for each correctly punctuated sentence)
accept any three reasons, e.g. active sentences only; use
of contractions; idiom; speech-like 2(a) The fire had destroyed all life.
3(b)
constructions (2 marks for three correct reasons; 1 mark
2(b) the forest fire on TV
for two correct reasons)
accept an appropriate adjectival phrase, e.g. the
e.g. statement: This is too important for you to ignore 2(c)
frightened, bewildered boys; the group of young boys
question: You do agree that we’re using the resources of
3(c) our planet too fast, don’t you? 3 The boys were stunned
command: Stop throwing things away
(accept accurate alternatives) “That skirt doesn’t mean anything (or: means nothing)
to me,” said the girl. “Anyway, it’s ruined.”
a recycler; she could; her house; an engineer, he took; 4
(2 marks for all three elements changed appropriately,
repaired it; he was a smaller; he reused; his old clothes; 1 mark for two)
4 he/she was a canine
(2 marks for all correct; 1 mark for seven or more 5 Eroded means ‘worn away’.
correct pronouns and determiners)
6 ability; skill (both required)
5 registration; reason (both required)
6 apprentice; beginner; learner; pupil (1 mark for all correct)

61 © Rising Stars UK Ltd 2012.

23654 SPAG Level 5 (Year 6) V4.indd 61 25/7/12 10:43:59

 Mark Scheme (H)

Test 9 Test 11
boasts: (1 mark) old boxes;
1 1
world; world; buses. (1 mark) papier mâché,

connective: whereas, while (accept although) accept a formal text, e.g. Male penguins stand in
2 adverb: anywhere (accept anyplace) temperatures of -60oC to incubate their eggs. The eggs
(1 mark for each correct word) 2 are kept on the penguins’ feet so that they do not freeze.
(1 mark for a more formal and impersonal text including
3 had been built the information; 1 mark for an appropriate passive)
the saw mill, for which the tunnel had been built, accept any appropriate complex sentence, e.g.
(accept: The timber, for which the tunnel had been In order to stay alive, male penguins keep warm by
4
built,) (1 mark for correctly placed phrase together with huddling together. Because they have nowhere else to
commas or brackets) 3
go, male penguins keep warm by huddling together. (1
mark for an appropriate complex sentence; 1 mark for
Explode a tunnel through the rock: command,
instructions punctuation)
A tunnel was exploded through the rock: passive, report 4 would; had
5 He thought he might be able to explode a tunnel through
the rock: conditional, biography The female penguins might / may should arrive
(2 marks for all lines drawn correctly; 1 mark for four 5 the weather may / can / could should improve.
lines correct) (1 mark for each verb phrase)
6 insulation
accept any sentence using ‘tunnel’ as a verb, e.g. ‘The
6
mole tried to tunnel under the lawn.’ colossal – minute
conclude – commence
7 minerals 7
experienced – novice
frenzied – calm (1 mark for all correct)

Test 10 Test 12
are felled, 2: comma
the creatures, 4: dash
1 the insects, 5: comma
1
(1 mark for three correct commas and no incorrect 6: comma
commas) 8: comma (2 marks for all correct and no others;
1 mark for three or four correct)
the toucans’
monkeys’ Chocolate has been drunk for 4,000 years.
2(a)
(1 mark for two correct apostrophes and no incorrect 2 For 6,000 years, people have been enjoying tea.
apostrophes) (both required)
2(b) toucans; monkeys (both required) noun phrase: The tea plant, three years old, any leaves:
3(a) Although verb phrase: needs to be, can be plucked
prepositional phrase: before any leaves
3(b) rainforest creatures (accept either) 3
adjectival phrase: at least three years old
3(c) critical, vital (both required) (2 marks for all correct; 1 mark for any two or three
correct)
(a): A
(b): P 4 can be very / really / extremely bad
4 (c): A
(d) P accept reasons like: use of passive; use of embedded
5
(e): P (all required) phrases in longer sentences

Sarah: PR Mum and I like tea. We drink it every day. She drinks it
truth: AB 6 while I’m at school.
5 group: CL (1 mark for all three errors found and corrected)
picture: CM
rainforest: CM (all required) 7 rapturous

The creatures will need / needed / have needed the 8 illegal; irregular; inconsistent; impossible (all required)
6
rainforest to survive.
7 consequent; consequently (1 mark for both words)

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