1

Introduction for teachers and parents

In this book there are single-page exercises covering most of the English grammar, punctuation and spelling work that children will meet in year 4.

On each page there is a short introduction with examples and key points followed by a set of questions for children to answer.

Some quite challenging questions have been included for the more able children. These are �agged using symbols such as “ouch!”, “here we go” and “oh no!”

At the end of each page, children are invited to answer a self-assessment question.

Using this book

The exercises in this book are not intended to be used in the initial teaching of new topics.

However, they can be used as:

• Homework activities - to consolidate work done in class.

• End of topic class activities - to give children the opportunity to check their understanding of a particular topic.

• Assessment tasks - allowing teachers to establish whether or not children are secure in their understanding of a topic.

Year 4 English Practice Questions

Dactyl Publishing PO Box 130 RETFORD DN22 9YPTel: 01427 884450 Fax: 01427 884455 www.dactylpublishing.com

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Contents

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 - 22

Grammar

Nouns

Adjectives

Verbs

Using ‘have’ or ‘has’ with verbs

Verbs ending with -ing

Using verbs to talk about the future

Common mistakes with verbs

Adverbs

Expanded noun phrases

Clauses

Sentences

Pronouns

Possessive pronouns

Prepositions

Conjunctions

Determiners

Adverbials

Some more grammar questions

3

23 - 24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

Punctuation

Punctuation revision exercises

Starting and ending sentences

Commas in lists

Commas after fronted adverbials

Apostrophes to show where letters are missing

Apostrophes to show who something belongs to (possession)

Common mistakes with apostrophes

Inverted commas

Using paragraphs

Spelling

Doubling letters before adding a suf�x

More about adding suf�xes

The suf�x -ous

Similar sounding suf�xes

Pre�xes

Homophones

Some more questions about spelling

Checking my own spelling

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

Are you ready for

this?

4

Grammar

NounsA

Remember - nouns give names to people, places and things.

Proper nouns start with capital letters. They include: • Names of people (Bill, Sarah) • Names of places (France, Manchester) • Days and months (Wednesday, August)

All the others are common nouns (book, tree, car).

Write your own sentence containing a proper noun (underline it).4

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what common nouns and proper nouns are.

5 Can you rearrange these letters to spell a proper noun?

h m c r a

Underline all the nouns in these sentences.

My cat likes to chase birds.

George is a great swimmer.

I have sandwiches on Thursdays.

2

Can you circle the non-countable nouns in this list?6

coin book water fun tree luck anger

Write this sentence again and put capital letters where they are needed.

the winter is zoe’s favourite season, especially december.

3

Tick the noun in each of these lists.1

riding

horse

my

large

brown

packet

China

under

always

Let’stry!

✓

✓

✓

The winter is Zoe’s favourite season, especially December.

My grandad’s name is Geoff.

March

5

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what adjectives are and I can use them.

AdjectivesB

Adjectives tell us about nouns. For example they can tell us about the colour, size or shape of a noun. • the green door • a massive ship • a square house

1 Can you unscramble these adjectives?

c l a b k y n t i u d o r n

Underline the adjectives in these sentences.

The slippery snake disappeared into the long grass.

John bought a tasty pizza.

Your old black t-shirt has a hole in it.

2

Write this sentence again with the adjectives in a better order.

Grandma had a red woolly new hat.

5

Think of your own favourite adjective:

Put your adjective in your own sentence.

4

Complete these sentences using your own adjectives.

The house had a door.

When I am older I would like a car.

I have a pair of shoes.

3

Herewe go!

black tiny round

tiny massive

fast

green training

scrumptious

On Saturday we baked some scrumptious cakes.

Grandma had a new red woolly hat.

6

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what verbs are and some facts about them.

VerbsC

Verbs tell us what something or someone is doing.Example: The bear ate the honey

Remember - verbs have different forms (spellings). The bear eats honey and I eat honey The bear was eating the honey The bear had eaten the honey

Can you �nd two verbs hiding in this chain of letters? Underline them.1

Circle the correct form of the verb in these sentences.

We ran / runned very fast.

They singed / sang out of tune.

We had ate / eated / eaten all our sandwiches.

2

Write this sentence again but change it to the past tense.

We cross the bridge and �nd a great tree to climb.

5

In each list there is one wrong verb form. Can you circle the wrong ones?

gave give gived given giving gives

singing sing sang singed sings sung

teach taught teaches teaching teached

4

Fill in the gaps to change the tense of the verbs. The �rst is done for you.3

present tense

We run home.

My mum keeps hens.

We are baking the cake.

Jake the javelin.

past tense

We ran home.

My mum hens.

We have the cake.

Jake threw the javelin.

f o b l a t r r u n n i n g o l t r a s a n g u m

Ohno!

throws

baked

kept

We crossed the bridge and found a great tree to climb.

7

Write these sentences again using the present perfect form of each verb.

She ate her last sandwich.

We set off for spain.

2

Write these sentences again and try to improve them.

I arrived home from school and have done my homework.

The cat has eaten its food and goes outside.

3

Write your own sentence and include the ‘have’ or ‘has’ form of a verb.4

Complete this table to show when things happened.1

last week

I arrived at the airport.

I �nished my homework.

just now

I at the airport.

We have eaten the biscuits.

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can use the present perfect form of a verb to

show that something has just happened.

Jake is �fteen. Which one of these is true? Tick your answer.5

Jake will become 10 years old

Jake has just become 10 years old

Jake became 10 years old

Jake becomes 10 years old

Using ‘have’ or ‘has’ with verbsD

We use ‘have’ or ‘has’ with a verb to show that something has just happened. This is called the present perfect form of a verb.Examples: She has eaten her lunch. We have arrived.

Bringit on!

I ate the biscuits.

I have finished my homework.

have arrived

She has eaten her last sandwich.

We have set off for Spain.

I arrived home from school and did my homework.

The cat has eaten its food and gone outside.

I have eaten my tea and now I’m doing my homework.

✓

8

Verbs ending with -ingE

Verbs ending with -ing can be used to show that something is still happening.Example: She is dancing. (Present progressive form of the verb.)

They can also be used to show that something was still happening at the time.Example: He was watching TV. (Past progressive form.)

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can use verbs ending with -ing in the present and past tenses.

Complete these sentences to show what was hapenning at 6 o’clock yesterday.

Jake swimming in a gala.

We eating our tea.

2

Use any of these words to �ll in the gaps in this passage.3

Mai was her bike when it started to rain. She home

as fast as she could. Mai likes to in the woods. She is

again right now.

rode ride riding

Write a sentence about what you were doing at 8am this morning. Use a verb ending in -ing.4

Can you spell the -ing form of these verbs? Use a dictionary to check your answers.5

breathe

describe

continue

decide

imagine

learn

notice

appear

learning

Complete these sentences to show what is hapenning now.

The sun shining.

I looking at my book.

1

We sitting down.

I playing a game.

OK!

is

am

are

waswas

were

riding

ride

rode

riding

At 8am this morning I was riding my bike to school.

breathing

imagining

appearing

deciding

describingnoticing

continuing

9

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can use verbs to talk about the future.

Write a few sentences about what you are hoping to do during your next school holiday.3

These sentences are supposed to be about the future. Can you write them again without the mistakes?

Next Sunday I went to the cinema. Hopefully, I got some popcorn and the �lm is really good.

2

Complete these sentences using different forms of the verb ‘to eat’.

I will my lunch later.

We will be our lunches at noon.

They are going to after the �lm �nishes.

1

Using verbs to talk about the futureF

In English, verbs don’t really have a future tense.

However, there are many ways to talk about the future.Examples: They will arrive tomorrow. It is going to arrive next week. We will be arriving at about 6pm.You will notice that the verbs are in the present tense.

Easy!

eat

eating

eat

Next Sunday I am going to the cinema. Hopefully, I will get some popcorn

and the film will be really good.

Next summer, I am going on holiday with my family. We will be going on

a plane and flying to Spain. I hope the weather will be warm and sunny

because I want to spend lots of time in the pool. On the first day, we will

arrive at 11pm. The pool will be closed!

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Common mistakes with verbsG

It is important to use the correct form of each verb.

I done the shopping. ✗

I did the shopping. ✓

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can choose the correct form of a verb to use in my writing.

Write these short sentences correctly in the past tense (change the verbs only).

The dog eaten the bone.

I gone home at 6pm.

Jake have lost his watch.

1

Write these correctly in the present tense (change the verbs only).

We is never going there again.

I always arrives early.

They has paint on their hands.

2

Can you �nd the mistakes in these sentences? Write them again correctly.

Jack and Jill goes to tennis practice on Saturdays.

Mum and Dad has shown me how to bake.

3

Try not to mix up verb tenses in your speaking and writing. Can you write this short passage correctly in the past tense?

When Grandma is born, she is the eighth child in the family. Her father was a soldier in World War 2, and Grandma doesn’t see him before her second birthday.

4

OK!

The dog ate the bone.

I went home at 6pm.

Jake has lost his watch.

We are never going there again.

I always arrive early.

They have paint on their hands.

Jack and Jill go to tennis practice on Saturdays.

Mum and Dad have shown me how to bake.

When Grandma was born, she was the eighth child in the family. Her father

was a soldier in World War 2, and Grandma didn’t see him before her

second birthday.

11

AdverbsH

Adverbs tell us how, where, when, why or how much. Example: They ran quickly.

Adverbs are used with: • Verbs - We walked slowly • Adjectives - The game was really exciting • Other adverbs - We spoke very quietly • Clauses - Luckily, it didn’t rain

Choose your own adverbs to go with the adjectives in these sentences. (You’re not allowed to use ‘very’)

2

My exam was dif�cult. The smell was unpleasant.

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what adverbs are.

Which of these words can be used as adverbs? Tick the correct answers.4

exciting

really

those

it

because

very

friend

quickly

today

yesterday

tomorrow

too

Can you underline the adverbs in these sentences?1

Zoe quickly entered the room. The dog was always barking. The music was too loud.

Write these adverbs in the gaps below.3

When the teacher arrived, Jack quickly told the truth.

He had broken a window. , it was only a small one.

fortunately very eventually accidentally

Explain how you know that the word ‘soon’ in this sentence is an adverb.

When he went to bed, Dad soon started snoring.

5

Ouch!

The word ‘soon’ is letting us know when Dad started snoring.

quite

eventually

accidentally

extremely

very

Fortunately

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓ ✓

✓

12

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI understand what expanded noun phrases are.

Expanded noun phrasesI

Look at this sentence: The teacher was talking.

We can use an expanded noun phrase to give lots more information about the teacher.Example: The strict PE teacher with curly hair was talking.

Replace the pronouns below with your own expanded noun phrases.

It ran down the road.

They swam out to sea.

3

Look at the picture and �nish the sentence with a great expanded noun phrase.4

In the picture there is a

Can you underline the noun phrases in these sentences?

Jake was eating a plate of chips.

The freshly caught �sh tasted delicious.

1

She has an old rusty bicycle.

Noun phrases have nouns in them. Can you underline the nouns in the noun phrases?

An enormous cake.

Thousands of tiny red spiders.

2

A balloon that is brightly coloured.

Use your imagination to complete this table.5

car

spider

brother

noun expanded noun phrase

a red sports car with a 5-litre engine

Herewe go!

The cow that had escaped ran down the road.

The family of wild dolphins swam out to sea.

desperately sad little rabbit with no

carrots.

a hairy black spider with only seven legs

my annoying brother who won’t stop talking

13

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what main and subordinate clauses are.

ClausesJ

Remember - a clause is a group of words including a subject and a verb.Example: I ride horses

(subject) (verb)

This is a main clause because it makes sense on its own.

Subordinate clauses need to be with a main clause to make sense.Example: We put on our coats because it was raining.

(main clause) (subordinate clause)

Which of these are subordinate clauses?1

when I get home

it is too hot

even if we get lost

unless you leave now

where I’d like to live

Jake is my brother

Sometimes the subordinate clause comes before the main clause. Can you add some main clauses to �nish these sentences?

If you take the last biscuit,

Because it is Saturday,

3

Look at the picture and write your own sentence about it. Make sure your sentence has a main clause and a subordinate clause.

4

Can you think of some good words to connect these clauses?

They had a great day out the sun shone all day.

We won’t win on Saturday we don’t practise.

She waited in the hall I looked for the keys.

2

Phew!

✓

✓

✓

✓

because

if

while

I will be very annoyed with you.

we don’t need to go to school.

I need to clean the wall because someone has splashed

green paint on it.

14

SentencesK

Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark. They contain a verb and they make sense on their own.

Example: The baker makes great cakes!

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI understand what sentences are.

Which of these are sentences? Tick the boxes.2

The dog has escaped.

When it’s time to leave,

Is it time to go home?

The children and their parents

Stop looking at me!

before it gets dark.

Join these main clauses to make sentences by adding a joining word.

Jack and Jill went up the hill, Jack fell down.

Let’s go indoors let’s eat the cake.

3

Sentences can have a main clause and a subordinate clause. Underline the main clauses below.

Zoe started playing football again as soon as her leg felt better.

Although it’s summer, the weather is very poor.

4

Try to write your own sentence with two main clauses.5

Now try to think of a sentence with a main clause and a subordinate clause.

Which sentence uses a question mark correctly? Tick one.1

I bought a new pair of shoes on Friday?

Did you buy new shoes on Friday?

I want to buy some new shoes?

OK!

✓

✓

✓

✓

but

and

Do you want fish and chips or would you like a salad?

When the clouds hide the sun, it feels quite cold.

15

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know how to use pronouns.

PronounsL

Pronouns are used to replace nouns in sentences.

Example: Zac went on holiday He went on holiday

(noun) (pronoun)

We use pronouns to avoid repeating nouns and to make writing �ow better.

Write these sentences and replace the underlined words with pronouns.

The twins cycled to school but the twins were late.

My dog found a bone and brought the bone to me.

1

Circle the two words in this list that are not pronouns.2

I me she he the it they this we

5 In your own words, can you explain what a pronoun is?

Add pronouns in the spaces below to complete the writing.

The frogs are jumping in and out of the pond. seem to like jumping.

Their pond is great. is perfect for .

4

Yeah!

Can you improve this writing by replacing some nouns with pronouns?

The kittens found a ball of wool. The kittens chased the ball of wool around the kitchen. Tom, their owner, tried to stop the kittens, but Tom was too slow.

3

A pronoun is a word that you can use instead of a noun.

The kittens found a ball of wool. They chased it around the kitchen. Tom,

their owner, tried to stop them but he was too slow.

They

themIt

The twins cycled to school but they were late.

My dog found a bone and brought it to me.

16

Possessive pronounsM

Pronouns such as mine are posessive pronouns. They are used to show who something belongs to.

Example: The ripped pencil case is mine.

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what possessive pronouns are and how to use them.

Can you unscramble the letters to complete this list of possessive pronouns?

n m e i

r h s e

r h e s i t

s r u y o

s i h

u s r o

4 Sam thinks that the word ‘they’ is a possessive pronoun. In your own words, try to explain why this is wrong.

This piece of writing has three mistakes in it. Can you write it out with no mistakes?

My book has some pages missing. Your is in better condition than me. I wish my wasn’t damaged.

3

Add a possessive pronoun in each space below.

“I really like your bike” said Zara. “I wish it was .” Lou looked surprised.

“ is not that bad,” she replied. Secretly, Lou did think

was the best.

2

1

OK!

mine

hers

theirs

yours

his

ours

mine

hisYours

My book has some pages missing. Yours is in better condition than mine. I

wish mine wasn’t damaged.

They is a pronoun like in ‘they went home’. Theirs is a possessive pronoun

like in ‘the house is theirs’.

17

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know how to use prepositions.

PrepositionsN

Prepositions often tell us where something is or when something happened.

Example: The cat is under the table. She brushed her teeth before breakfast.

Look at this sentence: The sports car with a powerful engine.

‘With a powerful engine’ is called a prepositional phrase. Adding phrases like this helps to describe things better.

Use prepositions to add your own phrases to these sentences.

I saw a squirrel

It was a brightly coloured bird

I put it on the shelf

4

Look at the picture and add your own prepositions to these sentences.

The bird sneakily �ew the window. It perched

the edge of the �sh tank which was

the table. The �sh the tank hid a shell.

2

Prepositions can be made up of more than one word e.g. instead of. Can you underline the prepositions below?

The chimney was on top of the house.

There was a cow in front of the car.

3

Our shed is next to the wall.

Can you �nd these prepositions in the wordsearch?

1

behind

around

after

below

between

beyond

above

over

near

without

since

during

r

l

p

r

a

e

n

n

d

q

x

t

z

b

f

b

d

v

l

r

p

n

o

o

e

e

o

l

b

e

s

e

c

l

d

h

q

v

t

t

i

e

o

b

s

i

f

g

e

f

n

w

a

v

d

n

u

o

r

a

c

t

s

z

x

d

y

w

e

v

e

e

d

u

r

i

n

g

v

x

c

b

e

y

o

n

d

a

o

h

b

t

u

o

h

t

i

w

j

k

We cando this!

through

on

underin

on

behind a tree.

with a very long beak.

behind the door in the garage.

18

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can use conjunctions.

Add coordinating conjunctions to complete these sentences.

Jack Jill went up the hill.

Would you like a biscuit a cream cake?

I would like to go I can’t.

2

Use your own subordinating conjunctions to �nish these sentences.

I think I’ll wear a coat it is very cold.

they �nish their lunches, they can have ice creams.

We waited outside they set up the room.

3

ConjunctionsO

The coordinating conjunctions and, but, or, nor and so connect words, phrases and main clauses together. For example:You and me The red bus or the green van I prefer chips but you prefer carrot sticks

Subordinating conjunctions join subordinate clauses to main clauses.Example: He didn’t have his homework because the dog ate it!

Add your own subordinate clauses to �nish these sentences:

We went home early

They sat in the waiting room

4

Add your own main clauses to �nish this sentence.

After the movie �nished

5

Unscramble the letters to �nd six subordinating conjunctions.1

llh

ll whh wwewwwi

wwf ef e

tttta

ttttr

e oef ooffr

ffffffe

oe offf oofffffffbss sss

nssssl nnnnu

lluuue

t at gtth

at agt gl

ee

aaagggohhhh

ugggggggggg

ooooooggggg

u hee

a eeb

aabu

ea e

bbaaaa

buuuuse

eee

eessssssssssssc

Wow!

while

after

although

unless

before

because

and

or

but

as

After

while

because it was too cold.

until the train arrived.

, we went out for a pizza.

19

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what determiners are and I can use them.

DeterminersP

Determiners go infront of nouns. They show us which noun we are talking about.Example: my book your book their books

Did you know that numbers are determiners?

Can you underline the determiners in these sentences?

Our dog is crazy. She buries her bones and forgets where they are. She does it every day!

1

Use these determiners to �ll in the gaps below.2

They sailed for days in boat. day it rained was really

bad. They have sailed times before, but they didn’t enjoy trip.

their this �ve the many

Unscramble these words to �nd some determiners.

v e y r e

m o s e

y r o u

t o b h

y m n a

h t t a

3

6 Use your own words to explain why the word them is not a determiner.

5 Write a sentence showing how to use the word them correctly.

Them is not a determiner. Can you write these sentences correctly?

Can I have one of them sweets?

Look at them ducks over there!

4

?

Phew!

five

many

every

some

your

Can I have one of those sweets?

Look at those ducks over there!

These are my pets and I hope you like them.

Them is a pronoun not a determiner. It replaces a noun in a sentence.

their The

this

both

many

that

20

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what adverbials and fronted adverbials are.

AdverbialsQ

Remember - adverbials are groups of words that are used like adverbs. (Adverbs are adverbials too!) They tell us how, where, when, why or how much.Example: We need to leave in �ve minutes.

Fronted adverbials go at the start of sentences.Example: In �ve minutes, we need to leave.

Underline the adverbials in these sentences.

The day after tomorrow, I’m going on holiday.

They jumped into the river without thinking.

We �nished our work as quickly as possible.

Before we go home, we need to �nish this.

1

Can you think of your own fronted adverbials to start these sentences?

his brother opened the door.

the cat ran away.

2

Look at the picture and write two sentences about it. Start each sentence with a fronted adverbial (and add a comma!)

3

Put a tick next to the sentences where the comma is used correctly.4

In London there are, millions of people.

Before you leave, help yourself to a biscuit.

Let’s pick up some apples, before it gets too dark.

In three weeks, it will be the end of another school year.

Easypeasy!

Without stopping to look,

When it saw the dog’s teeth,

Before you can go into space, you need a rocket. When I’m

older, I want to be an astronaut.

✓

✓

21

I Some more grammar questionsR

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can answer some questions about grammar.

Choose your own adverbs to �nish these sentences.

She ate her lunch .

, we made it here in time.

3

5 Can you write this sentence correctly?

I been on holiday with my family.

Tick the sentence that could end with an exclamation mark.1

Is it time to go home

The leaves fell from the trees in Autumn

How are you feeling

Stop dropping food on the carpet

Draw lines to match each sentence to its missing determiner.

I like rabbit with big ears

orange makes a good snack

She thought she saw shooting stars

2

an

a

the

Replace the underlined words below with the correct pronoun.

When Tom saw the tiger, Tom stood perfectly still.

The twins ate the cheese and the twins felt sick.

4

Circle all the prepositions in this sentence.

They walked through the hall and hid behind the door.

6

✓

quickly

Luckily

I have been on holiday with my family.

he

they

a

An

the

22

7 Can you turn this sentence into a question?

They are enjoying their sandwiches.

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can answer some questions about grammar.

Use a possessive pronoun to �nish this sentence.

All these books are .

10

Circle two adjectives in this sentence.

My sister has a green bike with very small wheels.

11

Can you circle the conjunction in each sentence?

I enjoy swimming although it is hard work.

I like orange juice, but I don’t like apple juice.

Because it is raining, I’m staying indoors.

9

Underline the subordinate clauses in these sentences.

Before I go to school, I like to take my dog for a walk.

We have three TVs because we can’t agree about what to watch.

8

Look at this sentence and tick one box below.

The giant oak tree is probably 300 years old.

The underlined words are:

12

a fronted adverbial

a main clause

a noun phrase

a subordinate clause

Herewe go!

Are they enjoying their sandwiches?

✓

yours

23

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can answer some questions about punctuation.

I Punctuation revision exercisesA

Circle the word below that has an apostrophe to show possession.

“It’s getting late. Let’s go back to Jane’s house.”

1

Replace the underlined words with shortened words (words with apostrophes).

We are going out tonight, and I would like you to come with us.

2

6 Write your own sentence containing an apostrophe to show possession.

Write this sentence again with the correct punctuation (you will need to add 1 capital letter, 3 or 4 commas and 1 full stop).

the pencil case contains a rubber three pens a ruler �ve pencils and a pencil sharpener

4

Add the best punctuation marks to the ends of these sentences.3

At what time will the bus leave

Stop making such a mess

The children were all reading quietly

BUSSTOP

Swap this sentence around so that it has a fronted adverbial.

We didn’t buy any popcorn when we went to the cinema.

5

Punctuation

We’re I’d

?

!

.

The pencil case contains a rubber, three pens, a ruler, five pencils and a

pencil sharpener.

When we went to the cinema, we didn’t buy any popcorn.

The dog’s toy has been chewed to pieces!

24

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can answer some questions about punctuation.

Write this sentence again with no mistakes. Hint: there are two mistakes.

You’re book is covered in jam, and your going to be in trouble!

7

Tick the sentence with the correct punctuation (tick one).8

Jake said, “we’re not happy about this”!

Jake said, “We’re not happy about this”!

Jake said, “We’re not happy about this!”

Jake said “We’re not happy about this!”

This piece of writing has some commas, full stops, capital letters and apostrophes missing. Can you add them using a coloured pen or pencil?

chestnut shared a stable with two other ponies On tuesdays wednesdays fridays and

sundays it was Sals job to look after them. Her parents looked after them on Mondays

Thursdays and Saturdays. “Its your job!” Sal’s mother would always say.

9

10 Explain in your own words the reasons why you would start new paragraphs in your writing.

Yes!

✓

Your book is covered in jam, and you’re going to be in trouble.

I would start a new paragraph every time a new person starts to speak.

Also, I would start one if I start to talk about something different, or the

time I am writing about changes.

C T W F

S

. , ,

, ’ ,

’

25

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know what punctuation to use at the start and end of sentences.

Starting and ending sentencesB

Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a full stop. However, questions end with a question mark (?). Sentences that show emotions such as anger, surprise and pleasure end with an exclamation mark (!).

3 Write your own example of a sentence ending with a full stop.

4 Write your own question about the moon.

5 Write your own sentence ending with an exclamation mark.

Copy this sentence and use correct punctuation marks.

the child ran through the door yelling, “Come quickly the rabbit has escaped?”

6

Tick the sentences that could end with an exclamation mark.1

What a mess we’re in

How silly you are

Don’t slam the door

What time is it

You can’t be serious

The shower is freezing

2 Add the punctuation mark you would use at the end of these sentences.

Can I sit here What a ridiculous thing to say

The sheep were sheltering from the wind Lunch will be at 1.30pm today

OK!

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

? !

. .

The train left the station fifteen minutes late.

How many humans have walked on the moon?

Stop wasting time and get in the car!

The child ran through the door yelling, “Come quickly! The rabbit has

escaped!”

26

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can use commas to separate words/phrases in a list.

Commas in listsC

We use commas between words or phrases in a list.Example: We have early lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

We usually put and or or between the last two things in the list. You can use a comma too if it makes your writing clear.

Add commas to this sentence.

My favourite fruits are apples pears bananas plums and oranges.

2

Write a list of three or more things to �nish this list.

During the summer holidays, I like to

4

We also use commas between short phrases, e.g. Mum asked me to tidy my room, close the curtains, empty the bin, and feed the cat.

Write your own sentence using all these phrases:

3

got on the plane arrived at the airport took off fastened our seatbelts

Tick the sentence that has commas in the correct places.1

They had, egg, bacon, tomatoes and beans for breakfast.

They had egg, bacon, tomatoes and beans, for breakfast.

They had egg, bacon, tomatoes and beans for breakfast.

Write this sentence again and add the correct punctuation marks.

I go to swimming lessons on mondays football on wednesdays guitar practice on fridays and football again on saturdays (2 or 3 commas, 4 capital letters and 1 full stop)

5 Great!

✓

We arrived at the airport, got on the plane, fastened our seatbelts, and

took off.

go for bike rides, meet up with my friends, go

on holiday, and go to bed late.

I go to swimming lessons on Mondays, football on Wednesdays, guitar

practice on Fridays, and football again on Saturdays.

,,,

27

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can use commas after fronted adverbials.

Commas after fronted adverbialsD

Remember: Adverbials are words or groups of words used like an adverb. They often tell us how, when or why something happened.

Example: Before you go, say goodbye.

Adverbials at the beginning (front) of sentences are called fronted adverbials, and we put a comma after them.

These sentences start with fronted adverbials. Can you �nish them?

When you go to the cinema,

In the winter,

2

Write three sentences to �nish this short story. Use at least one fronted adverbial.

Last summer, the twins went to stay with their grandparents. In the cupboard under the stairs, they found a very unusual wooden box.

4

Tick the sentences that have commas in the correct places.1

When it was 6 o’clock he caught, the train.

Every day, I eat an apple with my lunch.

When it was 6 o’clock, he caught the train.

Every day I eat, an apple with my lunch.

We don’t usually use commas when adverbials are at the end of sentences. Example: I watched TV when I had �nished my lunch.

One of these sentences needs a comma. Can you add the comma in the right place?

Because it had been snowing we couldn’t cycle home.

We couldn’t cycle home because it had been snowing.

3

OK!

✓

✓

you must have popcorn.

we need to wear coats.

Without thinking about what could be inside, they opened it. What a

surprise they got. In ten seconds, they had made a discovery that would

change their lives.

,

28

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can shorten words using apostrophes.

Apostrophes to show where letters are missingE

We use apostrophes to show where letters have been left out of words.

Example: I will I’ll

We have We’ve

Can you make these shorter by taking out letters?1

a) does not

c) they will

b) did not

d) we would

Won’t is quite unusual. Do you know what it is short for?2

Won’t is short for

Shortened words can have more than one meaning. Look at these examples and �ll in the gaps.

We’d like to know the answer. We’d is short for

We’d waited for two hours. We’d is short for

They’d already �nished their work. They’d is short for

They’d really like to see this. They’d is short for

3

Watch out for these common mistakes. Fill in the correct answers.4

Should’ve means

Would’ve means

not should of!

not would of!

6 In your own words explain the difference between the words your and you’re.

This piece of writing has four apostrophes missing. Can you add them?

They dont want to go because theyve been before. Theyll not be happy until theyre allowed to stay at home.

5

Wow!

doesn’tthey’ll

didn’twe’d

will not

should havewould have

‘Your’ is a determiner as in ‘your bike’. ‘You’re’ is short for ‘you are’ as in

‘you’re late’.

we would

we had

they had

they would

' ' ' '

29

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can use apostrophes to show possession.

Apostrophes to show who something belongs to (possession)F

The bike belongs to one girl the girl’s bike Here we add ’s

The bikes belong to the girls (plural) the girls’ bikes Here we add ’ after the s

The bikes belong to the children (plural) the children’s bikes With these plural nouns that don’t end in s, we add ’s

3 Write two sentences and use two words with apostrophes to show possession.

Add an apostrophe to the underlined words to make them correct.1

a) A sharks teeth are sharp.

c) The brothers faces look the same.

e) Our womens football team is top of the league.

b) Humaras bike is broken.

d) The chi ldrens books were on the �oor.

Can you complete these sentences (the �rst is done)? Ask your teacher to check these for you.4

The car belonging to Mrs Atkin is

The car belonging to Mrs Jones is

The car belonging to Mr Dickens is

car.

car.

car.

Mrs Atkin’sOK!

Complete this table.2

the king

Mr Smith

the men

a dog

crown

trunks

clothes

boots

kennel

the king’s crown

the elephants’ trunks

With names like Jones and Dickens, there is more than one possible answer!

The cat’s bowl is empty.

The rabbits’ bowls are empty too.

Mrs Jones’sMr Dickens’s

the elephants

a dog’s kennel

the men’s boots

Mr Smith’s clothes

'

''

'

'

30

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can avoid making mistakes with apostrophes.

Common mistakes with apostrophesG

Some words that have been made shorter using apostrophes sound like other words.Example: You’re sounds like your They’re sounds like their

Be careful not to mix these words up!

Write your own sentence with the word its in it.

Now write a sentence containing the word it’s.

2

Can you write this sentence again with no mistakes?

Its a great book, but I don’t know who’s it is.

3

In your own words, can you explain the difference between they’re and their? Hint: try and use the word determiner in your answer.

5

Write your or you’re in these sentences to make them correct.

Is this book.

If you don’t hurry up, going to be late.

Bring lunch if coming with us.

1

Add the words they’re, their and there in the correct spaces below.

Over is where they keep bikes, which

going to ride home later.

4

Bringit on!

your

you’re

your you’re

there their they’re

The bird is in its nest.

It’s a shame that we can’t go to the cinema.

It’s a great book, but I don’t know whose it is.

‘Their’ is a determiner as in ‘their house’. ‘They’re’ is short for ‘they are’.

31

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI understand how to use inverted commas.

Inverted CommasH

Inverted commas are used to show when someone is speaking.Example: Jon asked, “What time is it?”

comma capital letter punctuation mark insidethe inverted commas

Can you complete these sentences about how to use inverted commas?

We start each new bit of speech with a letter. Speech always

with a punctuation mark the inverted commas. We

use a to introduce speech.

1

Add commas and full stops to �nish these sentences.

She said “This is a tasty sandwich ”

He thought “I’d like to go to the moon one day ”

2

Circle the four mistakes in this sentence and then write it out correctly.

“there is a spider on the wall” Said the child?

3

Add the missing punctuation marks to these sentences.

Where is my coat asked Sara.

They shouted We’re over here!

4

Look at the picture and turn it into two sentences with the correct punctuation.5

Katie walked up to Tom andHi Tom, have you seen my

pencil?

No,sorry.

Tired!

capital

insideends

comma

“There is a spider on the wall,” said the child.

asked, “Hi Tom, have you seen my

pencil?”

“No, sorry,” he replied.

.

, .

“ ”?“ ”,

,

32

Look at this passage and write the symbol // in all the places where you would start a new paragraph.

One break time, Miss Foster was drinking coffee from her favourite mug. She had brought

the mug back from a holiday in Australia, and it was very precious to her. “It’s my favourite

possession,” she told the children. “What’s so special about it?” asked George. “Well, for a

start, it was hand painted,” Miss Foster explained. Many years later, after Miss Foster had

retired, the mug was even more precious. Now it reminded her of all the wonderful children

she had met during her many years of teaching.

Explain why you would start the 2nd paragraph.

Explain why you would start the 3rd paragraph.

Explain why you would start the 4th paragraph.

1

Using paragraphsI

Paragraphs are used to organise our writing. We use a new paragraph when:

• The topic changes.

• A new person starts speaking.

• The time or place we are writing about changes.

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI understand how to use paragraphs.

OK!

// ////

George starts speaking after Miss Foster finished speaking.

The time has changed to many years later.

Miss Foster speaks again after George.

33

Spelling

Doubling letters before adding a suf�xA

To add -ed -ing or -er, we follow these rules:Important - some words don’t follow these rules.

clapping

burning

keeping

(we double the last letter)

(we don’t double the last letter)

(we don’t double the last letter)

clap

burn

keep

If the word ends with a vowel and a consonant

If the word ends with two consonants

If the word ends with two vowels and a consonant

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know when to double letters before adding suf�xes.

Add -ing and any other letters you need to these words.1

shop stop clap slap

Now try adding -ed to these.2

burn turn start guard

Add the suf�x -er to these words. Remember that the letter x is never doubled. 3

box run farm mix

Try completing these tables with some longer words (more than one syllable).4

word

forbid

begin

suf�x

ing

ing

new word word

suffer

differ

suf�x

er

ing

new word

Now check all your answers using a dictionary.

Use a dictionary to �nd out how to add suf�xes to these words ending in el.5

travel + ing cancel + ing

Wow!

ping ping ping ping

edededed

er ner er er

travelling cancelling

forbidding

beginning

sufferer

differing

34

I More about adding suf�xes

When adding suf�xes that begin with a vowel to words ending in e, the e at the end of the word is dropped. e.g. cycle + ing cycling

This is not true with words ending in two vowels. e.g. see + ing seeing

Suf�xes starting with consonants (-ment -ness -ful) are usually added without any changes to the root words.

B

Try adding the following suf�xes to their root words.1

tickle

care

hope

+

+

+

ing

ing

ing

giggle

care

hope

+

+

+

ing

ful

ful

Add the following suf�xes to their root words.2

inform

admire

+

+

ation

ation

con�rm

sense

+

+

ation

ation

Some words are exceptions to the rules. Try these:4

argue

plenty

+

+

ment

ful

be

happy

+

+

ing

ness

Use a dictionary to check your answers.

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI understand when to drop an e before adding a suf�x

and how to add -ment -ness and -ful.

enjoy

hope

-ment

-ful

sad

doubt

clue

-ness

-ful

-less

playful

hopeless

Complete these tables.3

root word suf�x new word root word suf�x new word

OK!

enjoyment

-less

play

sadness

doubtful

clueless

tickling

caring

hoping

giggling

careful

hopeful

information

admiration

confirmation

sensation

being

happiness

argument

plentiful

35

I The suf�x -ous

Sometimes the suf�x -ous is added straight on to a root word and sometimes it isn’t. The questions on this page will remind you of some of the rules for adding -ous.

C

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can add the suf�x -ous.

Add -ous to these words.1

poison + ous

danger + ous

fame + ous

Now try adding -ous to these words.4

courage + ous

outrage + ous

Use a dictionary to �nd out what happens to these words ending in our when the suf�x -ous is added.

2

humour + ous

vigour + ous

Some words are quite tricky and you will need to watch out for them. Write this sentence again with no spelling mistakes.

It was a disasterous end to the day because she was covered in monsterous insect bites!

5

Complete this sentence:

With words ending our we change to before adding the suf�x -ous.

3

Use a dictionary to check your answers.

Noproblem!

poisonous

dangerous

famous

humorous

vigorous

our or

courageous

outrageous

It was a disastrous end to the day because she was covered in monstrous

insect bites.

36

Add -sure , -ture or -cher to complete these words.1

trea

tea

crea

mea

adven

tempera

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know when to use -ture -sure -sion -cian and -tion.

Try to �nd two words with each ending below. You’re not allowed to use words that are on this page!

3

-ssion -tion -ture -sure

Challenge! Find as many words as you can that end with -cian. You need more than �ve to be a genius!

4

I Similar sounding suf�xes

The word endings -ture and -sure sound similar.Example: treasure , picture

The endings -sion , -cian and -tion also sound similar.Example: expansion , action , politician

This page will help you to learn some tricky spellings.

D

Can you complete these sentences?

The doctor will give you an inj .

Look at the expr on his face!

My dad is an electr .

We had an exten on our house.

2

Wow!

sure

cher

ture

sure

ture

ture

ection

ession

ician

sion

permission

submission

station

nation

feature

nature

leisure

insure

politician

electrician

technician

beautician

magician

optician

37

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know how a pre�x can change the meaning of a word.

We need to be careful not to mix up the pre�xes dis- and mis-. Add dis- or mis- to these root words to make new words.

2

obey

behave

believe

spell

appoint

appear

Can you add in- il- ir- or im- to these words?3

relevant

mature

correct

active

mortal

legal

patient

regular

In your own words, try to explain what these words mean. Hint: the pre�xes should give you a clue!

4

anticlockwise

irregular

Can you complete this table to work out what some words mean?1

pre�x

sub-

inter-

super-

under

word

subheading

intercity

superstar

under the main heading

what the pre�x means what the word means

I Pre�xes

We add pre�xes to the beginnings of root words to make new words.

Example:

E

super(pre�x)

+ star(root word)

superstar(new word)

Pre�xes give us a clue about what words mean. For example, re- means again, so rewrite means ‘write again’.

OK!

dis

mis

dis

mis

dis

dis

ir

im

in

in

im

il

im

ir

Anticlockwise means opposite to clockwise.

Irregular means not regular.

between

very big

between cities

very big star

38

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI know some common homophones.

Write the correct homophones into each of these sentences.1

Please pass the .

The baby started to .

ball bawl

Tie the tight!

That’s my coat.

knot not

The horse has a black .

Fish is the course.

main mane

I’m having a time.

Anyone can cheese.

grate great

I won a silver .

Don’t with my things!

meddle medal

They tried to my bike.

The spoon is made of .

steel steal

I Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same. They have different spellings and meanings.

F

Write your own short sentences to show what these homophones mean.2

your

you’re

whose

who’s

accept

except

their

there

they’re

a)

b)

c)

d)

No!

ballbawl

knotnot

mane

main

greatgrate

medalmeddle

steal

steel

Your coat is black.

You’re going to miss me when I’ve gone.

Whose biscuits are these?

Who’s put my pencil down the sink?

I can’t accept your gift.

Everyone except me has a packed lunch.

Their house is at the end of the road.

The one I want is over there.

They’re not going to get home on time.

39

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can answer questions about spelling.

I Some more questions about spellingG

Tick these words if they are spelt correctly or write them again with the correct spelling.1

shef

sience

tongue

cresent

machine

cemist

Look at the pre�x in the underlined word in this sentence: The �sh is uncooked.

Now complete this:

This means that the �sh

2

Write out these sentences again with no spelling mistakes.

a) The Prime Minister is a politicion

b) TV stars are very glamourous

5

Write your own sentences to show what these homophones mean.4

heel

heal

he’ll

Draw lines to match each word with a correct suf�x.3

comfort

harm

self ful

able

ish

Easypeasy!

chef

science crescent chemist

✓ ✓

is not cooked.

The heel has broken off my shoe.

I hope my sore toe is going to heal soon.

He’ll never make friends by being rude.

The Prime Minister is a politician.

TV stars are very glamorous.

40

I’m con�dent I’m nearly thereI can check my own spelling.

I Checking my own spelling

When you do a piece of writing, always check the spelling of any words you’re not sure about.

H

Write another paragraph to continue this story and then use a dictionary to checkyour spellings.

2

Circle the three spelling mistakes in this paragraph and write the correct spellings in the boxes below.

One day last August, Jake and Annie went for a picknic on the beach with their family. It was

a warm sunny day, and the sky was blue. Occassionally, white �uffy clouds would pass in

front of the sun, and it would feel a little cooler. As she relaxed in the sunshine, Annie stared

at the clouds. She began to spot some interesting shapes. “Look!” she shouted, making the

others jump. “That one looks like a frog!”

“Your crazy!” remarked Jake.

1

Correctspellings:

OKgo!

picnic occasionally you’re

Annie couldn’t stop thinking about the patterns in the clouds. Five minutes

later, she shouted out again. “Look at that rat!” she exclaimed!

“Be quiet!” said her Mum. “People will think you’ve seen a real rat on the

beach!” Annie started to laugh. She hadn’t thought about the possibility of

other people listening in. Her mum saw the funny side too. A few minutes

later, pointing to the sky, she said, “I can see a shark!” in a very loud voice.

Let’s hope the people swimming in the sea had a good sense of humour too!