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Parent-PupilPost Primary Common Entrance Assessment

English Information File

Parent-Pupil English Information File

© 2013 PMP Publications IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 3

Introduction This Information File is a comprehensive revision package in English covering all aspects of literacy as required by Post Primary Common Entrance Assessment. The Information File comprises: A complete 30-page reference file detailing information which

children should know in preparation for the Post Primary Common Entrance Assessment. The content, which should be learnt, is outlined briefly in a number of NEED TO KNOW boxes.

5 practice tests of 50 questions, each containing a variety of

typical questions, e.g. grammar, poems, fictional prose, factual writing, content pages, cloze procedures, advertisements, book reviews . . . and more

Check-up exercises to assess children’s understanding of a

variety of grammar topics and punctuation rules. Cross-references to topics and/or pages that will explain

something in more detail. Other titles available from PMP Publications include: Parent-Pupil Maths Information Files

Common Entrance Assessment Practice Tests Series A, B, C, D, E, F, G & H

For forming adverbs

see 7


4 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE © 2013 PMP Publications

Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 3

CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4

PARTS OF SPEECH ........................................................................................................................................................ 6

HELPFUL HINTS TO IDENTIFY PARTS OF SPEECH IN WRITTEN ENGLISH .......................................................................... 6 HOMONYMS .................................................................................................................................................................... 8

PREFIXES ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9

COMMON PREFIXES ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Prefixes Check Up ................................................................................................................................................... 10

SUFFIXES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11

COMMON AR/ER/OR WORD ENDINGS ............................................................................................................................. 13 COMMON ABLE/IBLE WORD ENDINGS ............................................................................................................................ 14 COMMON ANCE/ENCE WORD ENDINGS .......................................................................................................................... 15 COMMON SION/TION WORD ENDINGS: ........................................................................................................................... 16 COMMON ENT/ANT WORD ENDINGS............................................................................................................................... 17 COMMON LE/EL/AL WORD ENDINGS .............................................................................................................................. 17 SOME SPELLING RULES FOR ADDING SUFFIXES .............................................................................................................. 18

APOSTROPHES............................................................................................................................................................. 20

Apostrophe Check Up ............................................................................................................................................. 22

MAKING PLURALS FROM SINGULAR NOUNS.................................................................................................... 23

RULES FOR MAKING PLURALS ....................................................................................................................................... 23 EXAMPLES OF NOUNS THAT BREAK THE NORMAL RULES ............................................................................................... 24

Plurals/Suffixes Check Up ....................................................................................................................................... 25

WORD MIDDLES .......................................................................................................................................................... 26

COMMON IE/EI AND AI/IA WORD MIDDLES ..................................................................................................................... 26

PUNCTUATION ............................................................................................................................................................. 27

Punctuation Check Up ............................................................................................................................................ 30

NEWSPAPERS AND ADVERTISEMENTS ............................................................................................................... 32

NEWSPAPERS ................................................................................................................................................................ 32 ADVERTISEMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 33

POETRY & PROSE ....................................................................................................................................................... 35

POETRY ........................................................................................................................................................................ 35 PROSE ........................................................................................................................................................................... 35



TEST 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................. 36

TEST 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................. 41

TEST 3 ............................................................................................................................................................................. 48

TEST 4 ............................................................................................................................................................................. 54

TEST 5 ............................................................................................................................................................................. 60

ANSWERS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 66

PREFIXES CHECK UP ..................................................................................................................................................... 66 APOSTROPHE CHECK UP ............................................................................................................................................... 66 PLURALS/SUFFIXES CHECK UP ..................................................................................................................................... 67 PUNCTUATION CHECK UP ............................................................................................................................................. 67 TEST 1 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 68 TEST 2 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 68 TEST 3 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 69 TEST 4 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 70 TEST 5 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 70

1999, 2009, 2013. This information file is copyright. PHOTOCOPYING IS ILLEGAL Some of the images used herein were obtained from IMSI’s MasterClips Collection, 1895 Francisco Blvd. East, San Rafael, CA 94901-5506, USA. Graphic design by Peter Whyte Associates, Belfast. Whilst every effort had been made to provide totally accurate information, PMP Publications can take no responsibility for inaccuracies and omissions contained herein. Further copies available by post only from: PMP Publications, 17 Ormiston Drive, BELFAST, BT4 3JS Or online at PMPpublications.co.uk



Parts of Speech It is important that the various parts of speech in written English are understood and can be identified in a variety of forms of writing, e.g. poems, advertisements, prose.

Nouns: naming words: (a person, place or thing)

Verbs: doing words: (describe an action)

Adjectives: describing words: (describe nouns)

Adverbs: describe actions: (describe verbs) Helpful Hints to Identify Parts of Speech in Written English NOUNS ............... Nouns are things you can touch and see, e.g.

sky, roof, person, girl, ground, book, etc.

Some nouns can be formed from verbs, e.g. assist (verb) ⇒ assistance (noun). Nouns formed from verbs can commonly (but not always) be recognised as they often have the following word endings:

–tion ⇒ correction –ment ⇒ encouragement –sion ⇒ invasion –ness ⇒ goodness –ence ⇒ obedience –dom ⇒ kingdom –ance ⇒ performance –ship ⇒ friendship

You can usually (but not always) identify a noun as the words ‘a’ or ‘an’ can be put in front of them:

e.g. an explanation a ball a beginning

Children need to know the following parts of speech and be able to identify them in a variety of contexts: • nouns • verbs • adjectives • adverbs.



Prefixes A prefix is a group of letters placed at the start of a word. The opposites of words can often be made using a prefix, e.g. appear disappear. Common prefixes (i) dis + loyal = disloyal

(ii) in + complete = incomplete

(iii) un + able = unable

(iv) im + perfect = imperfect

(v) ir + regular = irregular

(vi) il + legible = illegible

(vii) non + existent = non-existent

dis- in- un- im- ir- il- non-

disadvantage incurable uncertain immaterial irrational illegal nonconformist disagreeable independent undeniable immortal irregular illegible nonentity disappear index unfit impatient irrelevant illegitimate non-essential disbelieve indicate unmistakable imperfect irreplaceable illiterate non-existent discomfort indifferent unreasonable implant irrespective nonsense disconnect indirect unskilled impolite irresponsible non-stop discontinue indiscipline unsteady import irreverent discount indiscriminate untied impossible discover intoxicating untruth impress distress improbable distrust impure

* This list should be learnt and added to as children meet unfamiliar words.

Typical question

Choose an appropriate prefix to complete the words below. The first one has been done for you.

distrust _____ comfortable _____ sure _____ pure

Children should be aware of common prefixes and be able to add an appropriate prefix to complete words.

Pre fixes



Apostrophes Apostrophes can be used in two ways: 1. To show possession or ownership of something.

(a) In this case the apostrophe goes between the last 2 letters of the person or thing that owns the item,

e.g. The child’s rattle (the rattle belongs to the child).

The dog’s nose (the nose belongs to the dog)

(b) In the plural form of possession the apostrophe

should be put after the s’, e.g. the teachers’ classrooms

(the classrooms belong to the teachers—i.e. more than one teacher).

2. To show that a letter or letters have been left out,

Children may be asked to write the full phrase for words written using apostrophes, as shown below: e.g. it’s = it is*/it has they’re = they are

wouldn’t = would not won’t = will not

let’s = let us I’ll = I will

she’s = she is /she has I’ve = I have

* Please note in the case of the word its an apostrophe is only used when it is or it has is meant,

e.g. it’s lovely (means it is lovely). An apostrophe is not used with its, if possession is being indicated,

e.g. its ball (no apostrophe as it doesn’t make sense to say it is ball).

Children should be aware that an apostrophe could be used either in place of a missing letter or letters, or to show possession or ownership of something.



Examples of nouns that break the normal rules The nouns listed below ending with f add an s to make the plural

The nouns listed below ending with o add s to make the plural

The nouns listed below ending in a vowel plus o (eg eo, io, or oo) add an s to make the plural

roof waif reef handkerchief chief gulf brief

roofs waifs reefs handkerchiefs chiefs gulfs briefs

piano solo soprano

pianos solos sopranos

studio radio kangaroo

studios radios kangaroos

Some singular nouns keep the same plural form e.g.

one sheep ⇒ many sheep one deer ⇒ many deer one salmon ⇒ many salmon Some plurals do not follow a recognised pattern, e.g.

foot ⇒ feet man ⇒ men goose ⇒ geese ox ⇒ oxen child ⇒ children mouse ⇒ mice die ⇒ dice

Typical question

Write the plural form of the following words:

roof __________ match __________ box __________ potato __________ wife __________ piano __________

Children need to be aware of the plural form of a variety of singular nouns (see examples).



Punctuation Capital letters ............. are used:

a) to begin a sentence b) for the names of people, countries,

streets, addresses, books, poems, songs, ships, etc

c) for months of the year d) for people’s initials,

e.g. R F Brown

e) for the first word of direct speech, e.g.

The officer shouted, “Come here.”

f) for the letters I and O Apostrophes ................... can be used in place of a missing

letter or letters, e.g. would not wouldn’t

I am I’m Full stops ........................ are used at the end of a sentence. Question marks ............ are used to end a sentence that is asking a question,

e.g. What is the capital of France?

NB When it is used in direct speech, the question mark

comes inside the speech marks, e.g.

“What is the capital of France?” asked Mr Evans.

Children should know how to punctuate sentences correctly using: capital letters, full stops, commas, apostrophes, question marks, exclamation marks and speech marks. (See check-up).

See 20

Parent-Pupil English Information File: Test 1


Test 1

Mark / 50 Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

Free At Last Oh to be as free as a bird! Soaring and swooping effortlessly Surveying the earth with gay abandon Devoid of worry or care. Oh to be at one with nature To join the sweet chorus of morning song Announcing daybreak to a frantic world A spectator only upon earth’s frenzied motions.

1. What 2 things according to verse one of the poem does the writer want to be

free from?

_________________________ ________________________ (2 marks)

2. What does ‘morning song’ mean as used in verse 2 of the poem?

______________________________________________________ (1 mark)

3. Write the two verbs the poet uses, which describe how a bird flies.

_________________________ ________________________ (2 marks)



4. Tick whether the following statements are true or false based on the poem.

True False

The person in the poem does not want to be a bird

According to the poem the activity on earth could be described as busy and hassled

The bird in the poem is described as flying with extreme ease

(3 marks)

5. Tick which of the titles below could be used as a suitable alternative for the

poem:

Gliding on Wings Sweet Earth

Morning Time Animal Song

(1 mark) 6. What 2 musical terms are used in the poem?

_________________________ ________________________ (2 marks)

7. Find words in the poem with similar meanings to the words below: sunrise _________________ observer __________________ liberated _________________ easily ___________________

(4 marks)



8. Where would you find this sort of writing? Tick the correct box.

in a diary

in the front cover of a novel

in a magazine

in the back cover of a book (1 mark)

Space Alien

Blandly Award Winning Book for 1998 for the best science fiction

novel of the year Bill Miller an American astronaut has a strange encounter with an alien creature during a space walk on the Moon ... one which was to alter the entire direction of his mission. A beautifully crafted and exquisitely written novel combining suspense and humour to maximum effect.

Ann Blackly, ‘The Express’ A science fiction novel of the highest quality and sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Jim Bunting, ‘The Sun’ Other books written by Alan Evans include: Another War

The Unexpected

Space Alien: illustrated by Edward Jenkins



9. Based on the information in the passage, tick whether each statement below is a fact or an opinion.

Fact Opinion

Space Alien is an award winning book

Alan Evans has also written ‘The Unexpected’

Space Alien is a book of the highest quality

Two newspapers reviewed Space Alien

Space Alien is exquisitely written

Space Alien is a science fiction novel

(6 marks)

10. What were the names of the two reviewers mentioned in the passage?

_________________________ ________________________ (2 marks)

11. Who drew the pictures, which accompanied the book ‘Space Alien’?

__________________________________ (1 mark)

12. Using either the word ending ‘ible’ or ‘able’ complete the following words:

suit_______ vis______ prob______ comfort______ sens______ poss______

(6 marks)



13. Circle the best words from the passage to complete each of the sentences below.

The Normans

Britain was ( built , left , conquered , supported ) by the Normans in

1066. This event ( was , occurred , invaded , fought ) when William,

Duke of Normandy fought a battle ( frightening , scaring , ruling ,

defeating ) Harold the ( big , then , beaten , rich ) King of England.

The ( Normans , English , soldiers , rich ) refused to obey their new King

( because , since , so , although ) William decided to order his soldiers

to burn all their villages. ( Since , After , Because , For ) that no one

would even have thought about disobeying William.

(7 marks) 14. Complete each word below by adding an appropriate prefix:

____loyal ____suitable _____sane

____polite ____like _____legal (6 marks)

15. Make plurals out of the following singular nouns:

salmon _____________ wife ______________ chief _____________ match ______________ turkey _____________ half ______________

(6 marks)

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