ABC Education

ABC Education · 7+ Practice

Week 16 · English Practice Paper

Reading: 20 marks · Writing: 10 marks · Suggested time: 45 minutes.

Reading Passage

Dad has found an old hamster cage in the loft and brought it downstairs. Zara wants a hamster, and her big brother Ben is waiting to see what happens next. Read the passage at least twice, then answer the questions.

A Home for a Hamster

Zara hears the front door bang shut. Dad is home from the shops. He strolls into the kitchen and drops his bags on the table, then puts the kettle on and hums a little tune. Ben watches to see if he will notice the cage on the worktop.

"What's that doing there?" asks Dad at last.

"It was in the loft," says Ben. "I found it this morning."

"Brilliant," says Zara, peering through the bars. "Now I can finally get my hamster."

"Oh no you don't," says Mum. "I am not having a smelly rodent running around this kitchen."

"But Mum..." begins Zara.

"End of discussion."

"Please, Mum. It's only a hamster. They're not smelly at all if you clean them out properly. You should see Amber's hamster — it doesn't smell one bit."

For the rest of the week, Zara talks about nothing but hamsters. She polishes the bars of the cage until they shine, and Ben fixes a wobbly wheel with a strip of tape.

"Please, Mum. I'll keep it in my bedroom. You won't even notice it's there. Hamsters are ever so gentle once you get to know them..."

"I'll turn you into a hamster if you don't stop going on!" Mum warns, laughing despite herself.

"Excellent!" cheers Zara. "Then I'll ask again, and again, and again..." She dodges the oven glove that Mum throws at her.

Ben knows she will get her way in the end: she always does.

Section A: Reading

Question 1

[1 marks]

Where did the cage come from? a) The pet shop b) Zara bought it c) Dad found it in the loft d) Ben brought it home from a friend's house

Question 2

[1 marks]

What did Zara say to try to persuade Mum to let her have a hamster? a) She'll keep it in her bedroom b) Hamsters don't smell if you clean them out c) Hamsters are very gentle d) All of the above

Question 3

[1 marks]

What did Ben think about Zara? a) She always gets her own way b) She's annoying c) She goes on and on d) She's good at dodging oven gloves

Question 4

[1 marks]

Who helped to fix the cage up? a) Zara and Ben b) Zara and Dad c) Mum and Dad d) Ben and Dad

Question 5

[1 marks]

What did Ben do to help fix the cage?

Question 6

[1 marks]

What does Mum joke that she will do if Zara doesn't stop asking?

Question 7

[2 marks]

What do you think the word 'rodent' means?

Question 8

[3 marks]

Explain why Zara says she will 'ask again, and again, and again.'

Question 9

[6 marks]

Copy the sentences below, correcting any mistakes that you can see. zara wanted a pet hamster she had a freind called amber ambers hamster didnt smell

Question 10

[3 marks]

Can you explain what these underlined words mean, as they are used in the story? a) Strolls: Dad strolls into the kitchen and drops his bags on the table. b) Polishes: She polishes the bars of the cage until they shine. c) Warns: 'I'll turn you into a hamster if you don't stop going on!' Mum warns.

Section B: Writing

Choose ONE of the following:

  • Write a story with the title below.
  • Make sure your story fits the title.
  • You may plan your story before you start writing.

Option 1: An Amazing Day

  • Think about who is in your story.
  • Think about where your story takes place.
  • Make sure your story fits the title.