ElevenKey free subject sampler

English

10 questions · suggested time 15 minutes

All free papers
Instructions

Choose one answer for each question. Use the working space. Check the separate answer pages only when finished.

  1. Vocabulary in context

    1. ‘Although the map looked ancient, its markings were still legible.’ What does legible mean?

    Aeasy to readBbadly damagedCvery colourfulDhistorically important
  2. Vocabulary in context

    2. ‘Ravi gave a concise reply, answering the question in only six words.’ What does concise mean?

    AuncertainBbriefCrudeDwhispered
  3. Vocabulary in context

    3. ‘The puppy was wary of the unfamiliar gate and approached it one careful step at a time.’ What does wary mean?

    AexcitedBconfusedCcautiousDangry
  4. Vocabulary in context

    4. ‘The first proposal was rejected, so the team devised an alternative plan.’ What does devised mean?

    AcopiedBforgotCcreatedDcancelled
  5. Vocabulary in context

    5. ‘Mina’s explanation was plausible, but the teacher still checked the evidence.’ What does plausible mean?

    AbelievableBproven falseCvery detailedDcarelessly written
  6. Punctuation control

    6. Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

    AThe bag contained: a rope, a map and food.BThe bag contained three things: a rope, a map and food.CThe bag: contained a rope, a map and food.DThe bag contained three: things a rope, a map and food.
  7. Punctuation control

    7. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

    AMy uncle who lives in York, is visiting.BMy uncle, who lives in York is visiting.CMy uncle, who lives in York, is visiting.DMy uncle who, lives in York, is visiting.
  8. Punctuation control

    8. Which direct-speech sentence is correct?

    A“Wait for me”! called Asha.B“Wait for me!” called Asha.C“Wait for me” called, Asha!DWait for me! “called Asha.”
  9. Punctuation control

    9. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

    AAfter lunch we packed, the tent and left.BAfter lunch, we packed the tent and left.CAfter, lunch we packed the tent and left.DAfter lunch we, packed the tent and left.
  10. Punctuation control

    10. Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?

    AThe two girls coat's were wet.BThe two girl's coats were wet.CThe two girls' coats were wet.DThe two girls coats' were wet.

Answers and explanations

1. A — easy to read

Legible means clear enough to read.

Hint used in ElevenKey: What can still be done with the markings despite the map's age?

2. B — brief

A reply using only six words is brief and direct, so concise means brief.

Hint used in ElevenKey: The phrase after the comma gives an example of the word.

3. C — cautious

Careful movement towards something unfamiliar shows caution, so wary means cautious.

Hint used in ElevenKey: Notice how the puppy approaches the gate.

4. C — created

They created another plan; devised means planned or invented.

Hint used in ElevenKey: What did the team need to do after the first plan failed?

5. A — believable

Plausible means reasonable or believable, though not necessarily proven.

Hint used in ElevenKey: The explanation is not proven, but it sounds as though it could be true.

6. B — The bag contained three things: a rope, a map and food.

‘The bag contained three things’ is complete and the colon introduces those things.

Hint used in ElevenKey: The words before a colon should form a complete clause.

7. C — My uncle, who lives in York, is visiting.

‘Who lives in York’ is extra information, so it is enclosed by commas.

Hint used in ElevenKey: The extra clause needs a matched pair of commas.

8. B — “Wait for me!” called Asha.

The spoken words and their exclamation mark stay inside the speech marks; the reporting clause follows.

Hint used in ElevenKey: The exclamation belongs inside the closing speech mark.

9. B — After lunch, we packed the tent and left.

The comma follows the introductory phrase ‘After lunch’.

Hint used in ElevenKey: An introductory phrase can be separated from the main clause.

10. C — The two girls' coats were wet.

Girls is already plural, so the possessive apostrophe follows the s: girls’ coats.

Hint used in ElevenKey: The coats belong to more than one girl.
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