English practice questions
8 topics and 160 questions, each with a worked explanation. Tap an answer to check it, or open “Show answer & explanation”.
English in the 11+ typically covers reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and often a creative or figurative language element — the aim across all of them is to test whether a child reads accurately and expresses themselves clearly, not whether they've memorised a dictionary. The single most useful habit for English preparation is close reading: encourage your child to read the passage or sentence twice before answering, since 11+ questions are often written so that a hasty first read leads to a plausible-but-wrong answer. For vocabulary and spelling, wide reading outside of test prep — novels, magazines, even well-written non-fiction — builds the kind of intuitive word knowledge that's hard to drill directly, because it exposes a child to words used correctly in context far more often than a word list does. Each topic below includes a short explanation of what's being tested and how to approach it, followed by practice questions with full explanations.
Reading Comprehension
Read a short passage and answer questions that test whether you've understood what happened, why, and how the characters feel.
How to approach this
Comprehension questions test whether a child can find specific information in a passage and understand what it implies, not whether they remember the passage from memory — so the best strategy is to keep referring back to the text rather than answering from a general impression.
For 'why' or 'how did the character feel' questions, look for the specific sentence that gives the clue, since the answer is almost always directly supported by the text rather than requiring outside knowledge. Reading the questions before the passage can also help, since it tells you what to look out for as you read.
Maya arrived at the station ten minutes early, clutching her ticket tightly. The platform was busy, but she found a quiet spot near the bench to wait. Why did Maya hold her ticket tightly?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. She was anxious about losing it
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
Maya arrived at the station ten minutes early, clutching her ticket tightly. The platform was busy, but she found a quiet spot near the bench to wait. Where did Maya wait?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Near the bench
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
The old lighthouse had stood on the cliff for over a century, guiding sailors safely to shore through countless storms. What was the lighthouse's purpose?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Guiding sailors to shore
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
The old lighthouse had stood on the cliff for over a century, guiding sailors safely to shore through countless storms. How long had the lighthouse stood?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Over a century
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
Before the race began, Josh double-checked his laces and took a slow, deep breath to calm his nerves. What did Josh do to calm down?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Took a deep breath
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
Before the race began, Josh double-checked his laces and took a slow, deep breath to calm his nerves. What did Josh check before the race?
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Correct answer: D. His laces
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
The recipe called for three cups of flour, but Grandma always added a little extra for luck. How much flour did the recipe call for?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Three cups
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
The recipe called for three cups of flour, but Grandma always added a little extra for luck. Why did Grandma add extra flour?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. For luck
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
As the storm rolled in, the fishermen hurried to secure their boats along the harbour wall. What were the fishermen doing?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Securing their boats
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
As the storm rolled in, the fishermen hurried to secure their boats along the harbour wall. What caused the fishermen to hurry?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The storm rolling in
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
Maya arrived at the station ten minutes early, clutching her ticket tightly. The platform was busy, but she found a quiet spot near the bench to wait. Why did Maya hold her ticket tightly?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. She was anxious about losing it
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
Maya arrived at the station ten minutes early, clutching her ticket tightly. The platform was busy, but she found a quiet spot near the bench to wait. Where did Maya wait?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Near the bench
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
The old lighthouse had stood on the cliff for over a century, guiding sailors safely to shore through countless storms. What was the lighthouse's purpose?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Guiding sailors to shore
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
The old lighthouse had stood on the cliff for over a century, guiding sailors safely to shore through countless storms. How long had the lighthouse stood?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Over a century
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
Before the race began, Josh double-checked his laces and took a slow, deep breath to calm his nerves. What did Josh do to calm down?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Took a deep breath
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
Before the race began, Josh double-checked his laces and took a slow, deep breath to calm his nerves. What did Josh check before the race?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. His laces
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
The recipe called for three cups of flour, but Grandma always added a little extra for luck. How much flour did the recipe call for?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Three cups
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
The recipe called for three cups of flour, but Grandma always added a little extra for luck. Why did Grandma add extra flour?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. For luck
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
As the storm rolled in, the fishermen hurried to secure their boats along the harbour wall. What were the fishermen doing?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Securing their boats
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
As the storm rolled in, the fishermen hurried to secure their boats along the harbour wall. What caused the fishermen to hurry?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The storm rolling in
The passage states this directly — look for the key detail in the text.
Vocabulary
Build a strong word bank by matching words to their closest meaning — one of the most common 11+ English question types.
How to approach this
Vocabulary (synonym) questions ask for the word closest in meaning to a given word, and the best approach when a word is unfamiliar is to look at its context or word parts for clues — many words share roots with more familiar words (for example, 'reluctant' shares a root with 'reluctance', a word children often know from everyday speech).
If none of the options feel obviously right, eliminate the ones that are clearly wrong first, since 11+ vocabulary questions usually include one or two answers that are unrelated in meaning and easy to rule out.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'reluctant'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. unwilling
'reluctant' means much the same as 'unwilling'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'ancient'?
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Correct answer: C. old
'ancient' means much the same as 'old'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'enormous'?
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Correct answer: D. huge
'enormous' means much the same as 'huge'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'furious'?
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Correct answer: C. angry
'furious' means much the same as 'angry'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'timid'?
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Correct answer: A. shy
'timid' means much the same as 'shy'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'generous'?
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Correct answer: D. giving
'generous' means much the same as 'giving'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'exhausted'?
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Correct answer: B. tired
'exhausted' means much the same as 'tired'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'peculiar'?
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Correct answer: D. strange
'peculiar' means much the same as 'strange'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'diligent'?
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Correct answer: A. hard-working
'diligent' means much the same as 'hard-working'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'fragile'?
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Correct answer: B. delicate
'fragile' means much the same as 'delicate'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'vivid'?
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Correct answer: A. bright
'vivid' means much the same as 'bright'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'gloomy'?
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Correct answer: D. dark
'gloomy' means much the same as 'dark'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'courageous'?
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Correct answer: B. brave
'courageous' means much the same as 'brave'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'frequent'?
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Correct answer: C. common
'frequent' means much the same as 'common'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'genuine'?
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Correct answer: C. real
'genuine' means much the same as 'real'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'hostile'?
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Correct answer: D. unfriendly
'hostile' means much the same as 'unfriendly'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'immense'?
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Correct answer: D. vast
'immense' means much the same as 'vast'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'joyful'?
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Correct answer: D. happy
'joyful' means much the same as 'happy'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'keen'?
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Correct answer: A. eager
'keen' means much the same as 'eager'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'lenient'?
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Correct answer: C. mild
'lenient' means much the same as 'mild'.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Practise spotting words that mean the same (synonyms) or the opposite (antonyms) of a given word.
How to approach this
Synonym and antonym questions test the same underlying skill from two directions — finding a word that means the same, or a word that means the opposite. A useful trick is to put the given word into a short sentence in your head, then test each option in the same sentence to see which one keeps the meaning (for synonyms) or flips it (for antonyms).
Watch out for words that look similar but aren't related in meaning at all — these are usually included deliberately as a trap for children skimming too quickly.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'reluctant'?
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Correct answer: C. unwilling
'reluctant' means much the same as 'unwilling'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'ancient'?
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Correct answer: C. old
'ancient' means much the same as 'old'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'enormous'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. huge
'enormous' means much the same as 'huge'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'furious'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. angry
'furious' means much the same as 'angry'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'timid'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. shy
'timid' means much the same as 'shy'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'generous'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. giving
'generous' means much the same as 'giving'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'exhausted'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. tired
'exhausted' means much the same as 'tired'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'peculiar'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. strange
'peculiar' means much the same as 'strange'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'diligent'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. hard-working
'diligent' means much the same as 'hard-working'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'fragile'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. delicate
'fragile' means much the same as 'delicate'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'vivid'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. bright
'vivid' means much the same as 'bright'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'gloomy'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. dark
'gloomy' means much the same as 'dark'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'courageous'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. brave
'courageous' means much the same as 'brave'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'frequent'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. common
'frequent' means much the same as 'common'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'genuine'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. real
'genuine' means much the same as 'real'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'hostile'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. unfriendly
'hostile' means much the same as 'unfriendly'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'immense'?
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Correct answer: B. vast
'immense' means much the same as 'vast'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'joyful'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. happy
'joyful' means much the same as 'happy'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'keen'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. eager
'keen' means much the same as 'eager'.
Which word is closest in meaning to 'lenient'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. mild
'lenient' means much the same as 'mild'.
Spelling
Spot the correctly spelled version of commonly misspelled words, including tricky multi-syllable words that often trip students up.
How to approach this
Spelling questions ask a child to pick the correctly spelled version from several similar-looking options, which tests visual memory more than phonics — the incorrect options are usually built by swapping two letters, doubling a letter that shouldn't be doubled, or missing a silent letter.
Words with double letters ('embarrass', 'accommodate') and words that don't sound how they're spelled ('conscience', 'rhythm') are the most commonly tested, so it's worth learning these specific words by sight rather than relying purely on sounding them out.
Which is the correct spelling?
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Correct answer: A. necessary
The correct spelling is 'necessary'.
Which is the correct spelling?
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Correct answer: A. separate
The correct spelling is 'separate'.
Which is the correct spelling?
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Correct answer: C. definitely
The correct spelling is 'definitely'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. embarrass
The correct spelling is 'embarrass'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. occasion
The correct spelling is 'occasion'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. rhythm
The correct spelling is 'rhythm'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. government
The correct spelling is 'government'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. beginning
The correct spelling is 'beginning'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. conscience
The correct spelling is 'conscience'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. accommodate
The correct spelling is 'accommodate'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. parliament
The correct spelling is 'parliament'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. questionnaire
The correct spelling is 'questionnaire'.
Which is the correct spelling?
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Correct answer: B. privilege
The correct spelling is 'privilege'.
Which is the correct spelling?
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Correct answer: D. committee
The correct spelling is 'committee'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. recommend
The correct spelling is 'recommend'.
Which is the correct spelling?
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Correct answer: A. occurrence
The correct spelling is 'occurrence'.
Which is the correct spelling?
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Correct answer: D. independent
The correct spelling is 'independent'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. liaise
The correct spelling is 'liaise'.
Which is the correct spelling?
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Correct answer: D. maintenance
The correct spelling is 'maintenance'.
Which is the correct spelling?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. achieve
The correct spelling is 'achieve'.
Grammar & Punctuation
Choose the correct homophone or grammatical form to complete a sentence — a core skill tested in every 11+ English paper.
How to approach this
Grammar questions in the 11+ most often test homophones — words that sound identical but are spelled differently and mean different things, like 'their', 'there' and 'they're'. The reliable method is to know the specific job each spelling does: 'their' shows ownership (their house), 'there' shows place (over there), and 'they're' is short for 'they are'.
When unsure, try expanding any word ending in an apostrophe back to its full form in the sentence — if 'they are going to be late' makes sense, 'they're' is correct.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "they went to ___ house."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. their
'their' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "put the box over ___."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. there
'there' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ going to be late."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. they're
'they're' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "the dog wagged ___ tail."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. its
'its' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ raining outside."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. it's
'it's' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "is this ___ book?"
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. your
'your' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ going to love this."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. you're
'you're' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ coat is this?"
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. whose
'whose' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ coming to the party?"
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. who's
'who's' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "we are going ___ the park."
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Correct answer: D. to
'to' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "she wanted to come ___."
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Correct answer: C. too
'too' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "I have ___ apples."
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Correct answer: C. two
'two' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "they went to ___ house."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. their
'their' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "put the box over ___."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. there
'there' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ going to be late."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. they're
'they're' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "the dog wagged ___ tail."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. its
'its' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ raining outside."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. it's
'it's' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "is this ___ book?"
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. your
'your' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ going to love this."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. you're
'you're' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___ coat is this?"
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. whose
'whose' is the correct word to complete this sentence.
Cloze Passages
Fill in a missing word in a sentence using context clues, testing vocabulary and comprehension together.
How to approach this
Cloze questions remove a word from a sentence and ask which option best completes it, testing vocabulary and context together. The method is to read the whole sentence first (not just up to the gap), since the meaning of the second half often gives away what kind of word is missing.
Try reading each option in place of the gap and trust which one sounds most natural, since cloze passages are written in normal, fluent English — the correct answer should never feel forced or awkward.
Complete the sentence: "After the long walk, Tom felt very ___ and ate a huge dinner."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. hungry
'hungry' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "Despite her fear of heights, she was ___ enough to climb the ladder."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. brave
'brave' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "He read the instructions ___ before starting the experiment."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. carefully
'carefully' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "The magician waved his wand and the rabbit ___ instantly."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. disappeared
'disappeared' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "The whole town gathered to ___ the festival."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. celebrate
'celebrate' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "Archaeologists discovered an ___ temple buried in the sand."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. ancient
'ancient' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "She ___ the secret so no one else could hear."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. whispered
'whispered' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "The ___ waves crashed against the harbour wall."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. enormous
'enormous' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "He ___ agreed to share his last biscuit."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. reluctantly
'reluctantly' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "The ___ cat explored every corner of the new house."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. curious
'curious' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "After the marathon, the runners were completely ___."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. exhausted
'exhausted' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "A crowd ___ around the street performer."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. gathered
'gathered' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "The morning mist ___ as the sun rose higher."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. vanished
'vanished' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "The ___ mule refused to move another step."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. stubborn
'stubborn' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "Dew ___ on the grass in the early light."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. glistened
'glistened' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "After the long walk, Tom felt very ___ and ate a huge dinner."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. hungry
'hungry' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "Despite her fear of heights, she was ___ enough to climb the ladder."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. brave
'brave' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "He read the instructions ___ before starting the experiment."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. carefully
'carefully' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "The magician waved his wand and the rabbit ___ instantly."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. disappeared
'disappeared' best completes the sentence.
Complete the sentence: "The whole town gathered to ___ the festival."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. celebrate
'celebrate' best completes the sentence.
Figurative Language
Identify similes, metaphors, personification and hyperbole in example sentences — useful for comprehension and for creative writing.
How to approach this
Figurative language questions ask a child to identify techniques like simile (comparing using 'like' or 'as'), metaphor (describing one thing directly as another), personification (giving human qualities to something non-human) and hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration).
The quickest way to tell simile from metaphor is to check for the words 'like' or 'as' — if they're present, it's a simile; if the sentence just states the comparison as fact ('he is a lion'), it's a metaphor. For personification, ask whether something non-human is given an action only a person or animal could really do, like the wind 'whispering'.
What figure of speech is used in: "The wind whispered through the trees."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Personification
This sentence uses personification.
What figure of speech is used in: "Her smile was as bright as the sun."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Simile
This sentence uses simile.
What figure of speech is used in: "He has a heart of stone."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Metaphor
This sentence uses metaphor.
What figure of speech is used in: "I've told you a million times."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Hyperbole
This sentence uses hyperbole.
What figure of speech is used in: "The classroom was as quiet as a mouse."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Simile
This sentence uses simile.
What figure of speech is used in: "Time is a thief."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Metaphor
This sentence uses metaphor.
What figure of speech is used in: "The stars danced in the night sky."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Personification
This sentence uses personification.
What figure of speech is used in: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Hyperbole
This sentence uses hyperbole.
What figure of speech is used in: "Her voice was music to his ears."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Metaphor
This sentence uses metaphor.
What figure of speech is used in: "The leaves rustled like whispers."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Simile
This sentence uses simile.
What figure of speech is used in: "The old car groaned as it climbed the hill."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Personification
This sentence uses personification.
What figure of speech is used in: "This bag weighs a ton."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Hyperbole
This sentence uses hyperbole.
What figure of speech is used in: "He is a lion in battle."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Metaphor
This sentence uses metaphor.
What figure of speech is used in: "The snow fell as gently as feathers."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Simile
This sentence uses simile.
What figure of speech is used in: "The waves raced towards the shore."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Personification
This sentence uses personification.
What figure of speech is used in: "The wind whispered through the trees."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Personification
This sentence uses personification.
What figure of speech is used in: "Her smile was as bright as the sun."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Simile
This sentence uses simile.
What figure of speech is used in: "He has a heart of stone."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Metaphor
This sentence uses metaphor.
What figure of speech is used in: "I've told you a million times."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Hyperbole
This sentence uses hyperbole.
What figure of speech is used in: "The classroom was as quiet as a mouse."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Simile
This sentence uses simile.
Creative Writing Prompts
Compare sentence openings, descriptions and word choices to learn what makes creative writing vivid and engaging.
How to approach this
These questions test judgement about what makes writing effective, not creative writing itself — comparing sentence options and choosing the one with the strongest, most specific detail. The pattern to look for is that the best answer usually shows something happening through concrete detail ('her hands trembled') rather than simply stating a feeling ('she was nervous').
This 'show, don't tell' principle is the single most consistently tested idea in this topic, so it's worth discussing real examples from books your child enjoys.
Which opening line best hooks a reader?
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Correct answer: D. The door creaked open on its own.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence uses the most vivid description?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The crimson sunset bled across the horizon.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence shows rather than tells?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Her hands trembled as she reached for the letter.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which title best suits an adventure story?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The Lost City of Shadows
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence best builds suspense?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Something moved in the darkness behind her.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which word choice is most powerful?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The wind howled through the abandoned house.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence best ends a mystery story?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. But the truth was far stranger than anyone imagined.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence shows strong character emotion?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. His fists clenched as anger flooded through him.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence uses the strongest verb?
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Correct answer: D. The dragon plummeted from the sky.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which opening best sets a spooky mood?
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Correct answer: A. The old house groaned as the wind pushed against its shutters.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which opening line best hooks a reader?
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Correct answer: B. The door creaked open on its own.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence uses the most vivid description?
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Correct answer: B. The crimson sunset bled across the horizon.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence shows rather than tells?
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Correct answer: A. Her hands trembled as she reached for the letter.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which title best suits an adventure story?
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Correct answer: C. The Lost City of Shadows
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence best builds suspense?
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Correct answer: D. Something moved in the darkness behind her.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which word choice is most powerful?
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Correct answer: A. The wind howled through the abandoned house.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence best ends a mystery story?
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Correct answer: D. But the truth was far stranger than anyone imagined.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence shows strong character emotion?
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Correct answer: C. His fists clenched as anger flooded through him.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which sentence uses the strongest verb?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The dragon plummeted from the sky.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.
Which opening best sets a spooky mood?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The old house groaned as the wind pushed against its shutters.
Strong writing uses vivid, specific detail rather than vague statements.