SATs preparation SPaG

Which of these words is a noun?

• flying

• house

• tired

• quickly

Answer explanation

The word 'house' is a noun, referring to a physical structure where people live. 'Flying' and 'tired' are adjectives, while 'quickly' is an adverb, describing how an action is performed.

What is an adjective?

• a doing word

• a word that gives more detail about an adjective, verb or other adverb

• a describing word

Answer explanation

An adjective is a describing word that provides more information about a noun. It helps to specify qualities, quantities, or states, making it the correct choice over the other options.

An _______ describes adjectives, verbs or other adverbs.

Answer explanation

An adverb describes adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs, modifying their meaning. The correct choice is 'adverb' as it is the singular form that fits the definition provided in the question.

Which of these is a synonym for 'big?'

• thin

• small

• huge

• excited

Answer explanation

The word 'huge' is a synonym for 'big' as both describe something of large size. The other options, 'thin', 'small', and 'excited', do not convey the same meaning.

Which of these sentences has accurate direct speech?

• The policeman told us to stop!

• "Stop!" shouted the policeman.

• "Stop! Shouted the Policeman."

Answer explanation

The correct choice, "Stop!" shouted the policeman, accurately uses quotation marks to indicate direct speech and correctly capitalizes 'shouted'. The other options either lack proper punctuation or capitalization.

Which sentence has a fronted adverbial?

• As quick as a flash, the mouse stole the cheese from the kitchen table.

• The mouse, who was running very quickly, stole the cheese from the kitchen table.

• The mouse stole the cheese because it was hungry.

• The mouse stole the cheese.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'As quick as a flash, the mouse stole the cheese from the kitchen table,' contains a fronted adverbial. The phrase 'As quick as a flash' modifies the verb and is placed at the beginning of the sentence.

What is a synonym for courteous?

• polite

• funny

• clever

• cruel

Answer explanation

The word 'courteous' means showing good manners and respect towards others. The synonym 'polite' captures this meaning perfectly, while 'funny', 'clever', and 'cruel' do not relate to being respectful or well-mannered.

What word is wrong in this sentence?

Leo walked to the shop and bought a apple.

• walked

• the

• bought

• a

Answer explanation

The word 'a' is incorrect in this sentence. It should be 'an' because 'apple' starts with a vowel sound. Therefore, the correct phrase is 'bought an apple'.

What word is wrong in this sentence?

James past the book to me and Ben.

• I

• past

• book

• and

Answer explanation

The word 'past' is incorrect in this context. It should be 'passed' to indicate the action of handing over the book. 'Past' refers to a time period, not an action.

Which coordinating conjunction fits best?

Luke’s favorite sport is tennis ________ Amina’s is ice skating.

• and

• so

• but

• or

Answer explanation

The conjunction 'and' fits best because it connects two related ideas: Luke's favorite sport and Amina's favorite sport, indicating both preferences exist simultaneously.