11 plus English, topic by topic

11 plus English tests reading, the words a child knows, and how well they handle the rules of written English, usually as multiple choice. The topics fall into 8 areas:

1. Reading and understanding8 topics
2. Vocabulary5 topics
3. Grammar7 topics
4. Punctuation6 topics
5. Spelling6 topics
6. Fill the gaps and fix mistakes5 topics
7. The English papers5 topics
8. Writing5 topics

Whether your child sits an English paper at all, and in which format, depends on the school. Its admissions page says which test it uses. Kudos is independent and is not affiliated with GL Assessment or Quest Assessments. For the maths, see every 11 plus maths topic.

1. 1.1Finding the answer in the textFind it, then check it
2. 1.2Reading between the linesNo clue, no answer
3. 1.3Characters and why they actWhat they do, and why they do it
4. 1.4What a word means in the passageSwap it in, read it back
5. 1.5Why the writer did itSay what it does to the reader
6. 1.6Similes, metaphors and moreSay it in plain words
7. 1.7Order and structureFind the event, then look either side
8. 1.8Reading an older textFind the main sentence, then put old words into today's words

1. 2.1Synonyms and antonymsSame or opposite? Underline it first
2. 2.2One word, many meaningsSay what it means here, then match it
3. 2.3Prefixes, suffixes and rootsSplit it, then check it
4. 2.4Shades of meaning and formal wordsRight meaning, right strength, right setting
5. 2.5IdiomsLearn the whole phrase, then use the clues

1. 3.1Word classesA word's class is its job in the sentence
2. 3.2Subject and verb agreementFind the real subject, then match
3. 3.3Tenses and verb formsKeep the time steady, and check the word before the verb
4. 3.4Pronouns and determinersTake the other person out
5. 3.5Clauses and conjunctionsCan it stand on its own?
6. 3.6Standard EnglishIn a paper, write Standard English
7. 3.7Questions and reported speechA reported question: statement order, and a full stop

1. 4.1Sentence endings and capitalsOne idea, one sentence
2. 4.2CommasLists and openers, never between subject and verb
3. 4.3ApostrophesName the owner, then count
4. 4.4Direct speechWords, mark, then close
5. 4.5Brackets, dashes and extra informationOpen it, close it, check it
6. 4.6Colons and semicolonsSentence first, then the mark

1. 5.1Tricky words to learnLearn it in parts, and give it a trick
2. 5.2HomophonesExpand it, then check the meaning
3. 5.3Adding prefixes and suffixesLook at the root before you add
4. 5.4Silent lettersLearn the pairs, and find a word that says it
5. 5.5Hidden vowels and double lettersSay it in a spelling voice
6. 5.6ie or ei, and other rules that bendRule first, then the words that bend it

1. 6.1Choosing the word that fitsPredict, then check
2. 6.2The right form for the gapKind first, then form
3. 6.3Linking wordsName the link, then choose the word
4. 6.4One mistake or noneOne check at a time: None can be the answer
5. 6.5Missing letters and shuffled sentencesMeaning first, then letters

1. 7.1The GL-style paperRead once for the story, then go to the line
2. 7.2The Quest-style paperStory first, then find the part
3. 7.3Choose two, and NoneCount what it asks for: a clean line is allowed
4. 7.4Pace and the answer sheetSame number, same row
5. 7.5Papers with written answersPoint, quote, explain

1. 8.1Planning a story in five minutesKnow the ending before you start
2. 8.2Openings that hookStart where something is happening
3. 8.3Show, don't tellShow the clues, and let the reader name the feeling
4. 8.4Persuasive writingEvery opinion needs a reason
5. 8.5Checking your writingOne thing at a time: fix, don't add