Mini SPAG test 1

1. Circle all the adverbs in the sentence below.

Open the drawers carefully and quietly when using the filing cabinet.
2. Tick one word to complete the sentence below.
Michael and Kate read their books ______________ they ate their sandwiches.
while
which
between
during
3. Draw lines to match each sentence with the most likely final punctuation.
Look out ?
How are you doing .
January is the first month of the year !
4. Circle the word that describes how William played on the field.
William played badly on the field.
5. Look at this sentence:
The shopping list said he should buy bread, butter, jam and tea.
a) What is the name of the punctuation mark that is used after the words ‘bread’
and ‘butter’?
..............................................................
b) Why is this punctuation mark needed in the sentence above? Tick one.
to mark the start of a new clause
to show that a word is missing
to separate the items in a list
to take the place of brackets
1. The sentences below each have an error. The errors are underlined. Write the
correction on the line underneath, making sure the verb matches the tense.
E.G. Yesterday, I have the chance to play for my local team. .........had................
Our local café makes great cakes. We like to sit and ate them on a Saturday.
.............................................
The children are going to a shopping centre tomorrow and they had bought some new
toys.
..............................................
I am putting on my shoes and I will have been for a walk in the park right now!
..................................................
2. Write a short question beginning with the words below.
Why would __________________________________________________

3. Underline the subordinate clause in each sentence below.

E.G. The dog, which was brown, growled at the cat.
Susan had a cat, which always purred.
When I grow up, I want to be a vet.
Sammy, who was nearly asleep, curled up in the chair.
4. Put Ratty’s words into direct speech.
Ratty said he hoped it would be sunny later.
_______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

1. Complete the sentences below using either I or me.

______ pulled out the keys from my pocket.
She asked _____ to help her put up the pictures.
My team and ______ are playing next week.
Why isn’t anyone able to understand what ______ am trying to do?
I had to help with the washing up before Dad would turn on the television for ______.

2. Write a sentence using inverted commas appropriately.

....................................................................................................................................
3. Put a tick in each row to show whether the sentence is a statement, a command or a
question.
Sentence Statement Command Question
How are you

Go to bed

I like horse
riding

4. Complete the sentence below by choosing the correct contraction.

Even if you want to, you ............................................... go to the park.
- They’ll - Can’t - I’ll
5. Add a prefix from the list to this word to make an adjective.
............happy

- Mis - Un - In

1. Circle all the adverbs in the sentence below.

Walk along the corridor quietly and calmly.
2. Tick one word to complete the sentence below.
Sammy and Clare watched TV ______________ they ate their dinner. Tick one.
as
which
between
later
3. Draw lines to match each sentence with the most likely final punctuation.
Stop ?
Why did you do that .
It looks like rain !
4. Circle the word that describes how Sarah ran in the race.
Sarah ran slowly in the race.
5. Look at this sentence:
The shopping list said he should buy bread, butter, jam and tea.
a) What is the name of the punctuation mark that is used after the words ‘bread’ and
‘butter’?
............................................................
b) Why is this punctuation mark needed in the sentence above? Tick one.
to mark the start of a new sentence
to show that a word is missing
to separate the items in a list
to take the place of brackets

1. Write a short question beginning with the words below.

How many __________________________________________________
2. Underline the subordinate clause in each sentence below.

E.G. Although his Mum thought they were very smart, Peter disliked his new trousers.
Before he could go swimming, Ali packed his towel.
The twins asked Dad to turn up the heating, as it was cold.
After drinking his water, Mark washed up his glass.
3. Put the baker’s words into direct speech.
The baker said that he hoped to sell all of the loaves by lunchtime.
_______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4. Complete the sentences below using either I or me.
____ pulled out the keys from my pocket.
She asked ____ to help her put up the pictures.
My team and ____ are playing next week.
Why isn’t anyone able to understand what ____ am trying to do?
I had to help with the washing up before Dad would turn on the television for ____.

5. Which sentence uses inverted commas correctly? Tick one.

“Fortunately, Peter, you’re going after all, said Mrs. Smith.” It’s a good job, too!”
Fortunately, Peter, you’re going after all, “said Mrs Smith”. It’s a good job, too!
“Fortunately, Peter, you’re going after all,” said Mrs Smith. It’s a good job, too!
“Fortunately, Peter, you’re going after all,” said Mrs Smith. “It’s a good job, too!”

1. Put a tick in each row to show whether the sentence is a statement, a command or a
question.
Sentence Statement Command Question
Wait at the
door
What time are
we going
Think about it
a bit more

2. Complete the sentence below with a contraction that makes sense.

If you give me the recipe __________________________ buy the ingredients on the
way home.
3. Add a suffix to this word to make an adjective.
dread ______________
4. Which of the following sentences uses a subordinate clause at the beginning?

Male penguins keep warm by huddling together

In order to stay alive, male penguins keep warm by huddling together

Huddling together helps male penguins to stay alive and keep warm

5. Identify which of the following nouns are abstract and/or collective by circling the
correct term.

Team Truth Pride

Abstract noun Abstract Abstract

Collective noun Collective Collective

Abstract and collective Abstract and collective Abstract and collective

1. Which of the sentences below is punctuated correctly? Tick one.

James ran a marathon (even though it was) a challenge and raised £200 for charity.
James ran a marathon even though it was a challenge and raised (£200 for charity).
James (ran a marathon) even though it was a challenge and raised £200 for charity.
James ran a marathon (even though it was a challenge) and raised £200 for charity.
2. Put a tick in each row to show whether the word is a noun or a verb.
One has been done for you.

noun verb
hall 

to climb
love
running
3. Look at the passage below. Change all the verbs from the past tense to the present
tense.

pack

I packed my bag for school. I needed my PE kit.

I also took my packed lunch. As I was going to my after school club, I needed to take a
snack too.

1. Circle all the adjectives in the sentence below.

The old man walked to the busy shop.
2. Which sentence uses commas correctly?
As the shops, were busy there weren’t any, spaces left in the car park.
As the shops were busy, there weren’t any spaces left in the car park.
As the shops were busy there weren’t any spaces, left in the car park.
As the shops were busy, there weren’t, any spaces left in the car park.
3. Circle the conjunction in the sentence below.
Until it was dark, we couldn’t light the fireworks.
4. Write a question beginning with the words below.
Could you _______________________________________________
5. Write the correct singular or plural form in each space below.
E.G. One table, three tables
One mouse, three ___________________

One dish, many _____________

One pint of milk, many ____________of milk.

One baby, four ____________________.

6. Insert three commas in the correct places in the sentence below.

Mum brought some crisps a bag of apples some cans of coke and
cakes.