Parent-Pupil Post Primary Common Entrance Assessment English Information File PMP Publications
Introduction Parent-Pupil English Information File 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, 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. For forming adverbs see 7 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 2013 PMP Publications IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 3
Parent-Pupil English Information File 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 4 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 2013 PMP Publications
Parent-Pupil English Information File 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 2013 PMP Publications IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 5
Parent-Pupil English Information File 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, poems, advertisements, prose. Nouns: Verbs: naming words: (a person, place or thing) 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, sky, roof, person, girl, ground, book, etc. Children need to know the following parts of speech and be able to identify them in a variety of contexts: nouns verbs adjectives adverbs. Some nouns can be formed from verbs, 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: an explanation a ball a beginning 6 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 2013 PMP Publications
Parent-Pupil English Information File Prefixes Pre fixes 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, 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 Children should be aware of common prefixes and be able to add an appropriate prefix to complete words. (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 2013 PMP Publications IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 9
Parent-Pupil English Information File Apostrophes Apostrophes can be used in two ways: 1. To show possession or ownership of something. (a) (b) In this case the apostrophe goes between the last 2 letters of the person or thing that owns the item, The child s rattle (the rattle belongs to the child). The dog s nose (the nose belongs to the dog) In the plural form of possession the apostrophe should be put after the s, the teachers classrooms (the classrooms belong to the teachers i.e. more than one teacher). 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. 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: it s = it is*/it has they re = they are wouldn t = would not let s = let us she s = she is /she has won t = will not I ll = I will 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, it s lovely (means it is lovely). An apostrophe is not used with its, if possession is being indicated, its ball (no apostrophe as it doesn t make sense to say it is ball). 20 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 2013 PMP Publications
Parent-Pupil English Information File Examples of nouns that break the normal rules The nouns listed below ending with f add an s to make the plural roof waif reef handkerchief chief gulf brief roofs waifs reefs handkerchiefs chiefs gulfs briefs The nouns listed below ending with o add s to make the plural piano solo soprano pianos solos sopranos The nouns listed below ending in a vowel plus o (eg eo, io, or oo) add an s to make the plural studio radio kangaroo studios radios kangaroos Some singular nouns keep the same plural form one sheep many sheep one deer many deer one salmon many salmon Some plurals do not follow a recognised pattern, foot feet man men goose geese ox oxen child children mouse mice die dice Children need to be aware of the plural form of a variety of singular nouns (see examples). Typical question Write the plural form of the following words: roof match box potato wife piano 24 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 2013 PMP Publications
Parent-Pupil English Information File 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, R F Brown e) for the first word of direct speech, The officer shouted, Come here. f) for the letters I and O Apostrophes... can be used in place of a missing letter or letters, would not wouldn t I am I m 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 Full stops... are used at the end of a sentence. Question marks... are used to end a sentence that is asking a question, What is the capital of France? NB When it is used in direct speech, the question mark comes inside the speech marks, What is the capital of France? asked Mr Evans. 2013 PMP Publications IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 27
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) 36 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 2013 PMP Publications
Parent-Pupil English Information File: Test 1 4. Tick whether the following statements are true or false based on the poem. 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 True False (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) 2013 PMP Publications IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 37
Parent-Pupil English Information File: Test 1 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 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) 38 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 2013 PMP Publications
Parent-Pupil English Information File: Test 1 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 prob sens vis comfort poss (6 marks) 2013 PMP Publications IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 39
Parent-Pupil English Information File: Test 1 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) 40 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE 2013 PMP Publications