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Grade 6 English Language Arts practice sheet

Ontario Curriculum · from Gradelings · Name: ______________________

  1. Question 1

    Use the roots: what is a “spectator”?

    • a person who speaks at an event
    • a person who builds stadiums
    • a person who watches an event
    • a person who carries equipment
    Show answer

    a person who watches an event

    Hint: spect = look, and -or means “a person who.”

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence uses a gerund?

    • Reading helps me relax.
    • She was reading when I called.
    • I am reading a book.
    Show answer

    Reading helps me relax.

    Hint: In the first sentence, Reading is the subject, a thing. In the others, reading is part of the verb.

  3. Question 3

    Which sentence uses a relative clause to give extra information?

    • My grandmother is 80 and skis.
    • My grandmother, who is 80, still skis.
    • My grandmother skis.
    Show answer

    My grandmother, who is 80, still skis.

    Hint: Who is 80 gives extra information about the grandmother.

  4. Question 4

    Which part is the dependent (subordinate) clause?

    If it snows tomorrow, the field trip will be postponed.

    • tomorrow
    • If it snows tomorrow
    • the field trip
    • the field trip will be postponed
    Show answer

    If it snows tomorrow

    Hint: Which part starts with a subordinating word and leaves you waiting for more?

  5. Question 5

    Which transitional word shows a contrast?

    • Therefore
    • Furthermore
    • However
    Show answer

    However

    Hint: However shows that the next idea is different.

  6. Question 6

    Why does Amir keep his sketchbook closed at first?

    Lines on Paper

    During his first week at the new school, Amir ate lunch at the end of the long table and kept his sketchbook closed on his lap. At his old school, everyone had known him as “the map kid.” Here, nobody knew him at all.

    On Thursday, the sketchbook slid off his knees and fell open. Zoe picked it up before he could reach it. Inside was a hand-drawn map of an island, with mountain ridges shaded in pencil and tiny labels in careful capital letters.

    “You made this?” Zoe asked. Amir shrugged and held out his hand for the book, staring at the floor.

    “Our group needs someone to draw the setting for our class story,” she said. “We've been arguing about it for days.” She slid onto the bench beside him. For the first time all week, Amir opened the sketchbook on purpose.

    • He is upset with Zoe.
    • He has lost his pencil.
    • The sketchbook is empty.
    • He feels unsure about how his new classmates will see him.
    Show answer

    He feels unsure about how his new classmates will see him.

    Hint: He's new, and “nobody knew him at all.” How might that make someone act?

  7. Question 7

    Why might an author choose to write in first person?

    • to make sure the story has no narrator
    • to show every character's secret thoughts
    • to let readers experience events through one character's own voice and thoughts
    • to give the reader step-by-step instructions
    Show answer

    to let readers experience events through one character's own voice and thoughts

    Hint: First person puts you inside the narrator's head.

  8. Question 8

    What kind of figurative language is used here?

    The stars glittered like tiny jewels on a dark blanket.

    • Simile
    • Idiom
    • Metaphor
    • Personification
    Show answer

    Simile

    Hint: A simile compares two different things using “like” or “as.”

  9. Question 9

    Sort each word: positive or negative connotation?

    Sort into: 😊 Positive · 😒 Negative

    • 🔤lazy
    • 🔤shack
    • 🔤stench
    • 🔤cozy
    • 🔤determined
    • 🔤assertive
    Show answer

    😊 Positive: cozy, determined, assertive · 😒 Negative: lazy, shack, stench

    Hint: Ask yourself: would you feel pleased or upset if someone used this word to describe you?

  10. Question 10

    Sort each statement: fact or opinion?

    Sort into: 🔎 Fact · 💭 Opinion

    • 📝Bees make honey from nectar.
    • 📝Our class has 27 students.
    • 📝Math is more fun than art.
    • 📝Cats make better pets than dogs.
    • 📝Soccer is the most exciting sport.
    • 📝A week has seven days.
    Show answer

    🔎 Fact: Bees make honey from nectar., Our class has 27 students., A week has seven days. · 💭 Opinion: Math is more fun than art., Cats make better pets than dogs., Soccer is the most exciting sport.

    Hint: Ask: could I prove this by measuring, counting or checking a reliable source? If yes, it's a fact.

Answer key

  1. 1. a person who watches an event (Roots & Analogies)
  2. 2. Reading helps me relax. (Grammar Gears)
  3. 3. My grandmother, who is 80, still skis. (Sentence Builders)
  4. 4. If it snows tomorrow (Commas & Clauses)
  5. 5. However (Punctuation Power)
  6. 6. He feels unsure about how his new classmates will see him. (Close Reading)
  7. 7. to let readers experience events through one character's own voice and thoughts (Point of View)
  8. 8. Simile (Figurative Language)
  9. 9. 😊 Positive: cozy, determined, assertive · 😒 Negative: lazy, shack, stench (Connotation & Tone)
  10. 10. 🔎 Fact: Bees make honey from nectar., Our class has 27 students., A week has seven days. · 💭 Opinion: Math is more fun than art., Cats make better pets than dogs., Soccer is the most exciting sport. (Sources & Bias)

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