Year 8 English

1. 1.Complete the passive with the two missing words: The house ____ in 1920. (verb: build)

2. 2.Change to the passive: "The teacher praised the students."

   • a) The students are praised by the teacher.
   • b) The students were praised by the teacher.
   • c) The students have praised the teacher.
   • d) The students praised the teacher.

3. 3.Sort each sentence by its voice.

   Groups: Active · Passive

   • Somebody has stolen my bag.
   • The results will be announced.
   • They will announce the results.
   • My bag has been stolen.

4. 4.Sort each sentence by its voice.

   Groups: Active · Passive

   • Rita wrote the letter.
   • The chef cooked the meal.
   • The dog chased the cat.
   • The cat was chased by the dog.
   • The letter was written by Rita.
   • The meal was cooked by the chef.

5. 5.Match each active sentence to its passive form.

   • Ravi paints the wall.
   • Ravi painted the wall.
   • Ravi will paint the wall.
   • Ravi is painting the wall.

   • The wall is being painted by Ravi.
   • The wall is painted by Ravi.
   • The wall was painted by Ravi.
   • The wall will be painted by Ravi.

6. 6.Complete the passive with the two missing words: These shirts ____ in Surat every year. (verb: make)

7. 7.Complete the passive with the two missing words: The window ____ by the ball yesterday. (verb: break)

8. 8.Change to the active: "The parcel was delivered by the courier."

   • a) The parcel delivered the courier.
   • b) The courier has delivered the parcel.
   • c) The courier delivered the parcel.
   • d) The courier delivers the parcel.

Active and passive voice · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Report this: The guide said, "The bus is late."

   • a) The guide said that the bus will be late.
   • b) The guide said that this bus is late.
   • c) The guide said that the bus had been late.
   • d) The guide said that the bus was late.

2. 2.In reported speech, "will" usually becomes ____.

3. 3.Report this: She said, "I will call you tomorrow."

   • a) She said she would call me the next day.
   • b) She said she will call me tomorrow.
   • c) She said I would call you tomorrow.
   • d) She said she would called me the next day.

4. 4.Report this: Ravi said, "I am tired."

   • a) Ravi said he am tired.
   • b) Ravi said that he is tired.
   • c) Ravi said that I was tired.
   • d) Ravi said that he was tired.

5. 5.In reported speech, "am" usually becomes ____.

6. 6.Which word replaces "here" in reported speech?

   • a) this
   • b) near
   • c) where
   • d) there

7. 7.Report this: Meera said, "I have finished my homework."

   • a) Meera said that I had finished my homework.
   • b) Meera said that she had finished her homework.
   • c) Meera said that she had finish her homework.
   • d) Meera said that she has finished her homework.

8. 8.Report this: "We are leaving now," they said.

   • a) They said that they are leaving now.
   • b) They said that we were leaving then.
   • c) They said that they were leaving now.
   • d) They said that they were leaving then.

Direct and indirect speech · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Which sentence uses "talk" correctly?

   • a) I want to talk to you about the trip.
   • b) I want to talk you.
   • c) I want to talk three languages.
   • d) I want to talk a story.

2. 2.Sort each sentence by whether it is correct.

   Groups: Correct · Not correct

   • He explained us the rules.
   • She said us the news.
   • She told us the news.
   • He explained the rules to us.

3. 3.Ravi said, "I did not take it." Which single verb reports what Ravi was doing?

   • a) suggested
   • b) advised
   • c) denied
   • d) promised

4. 4.Write "say" or "tell": "Please do not ____ anyone about the surprise."

5. 5.Put the steps of choosing a reporting verb in the right order.

   • Last, make the pronouns and the tense fit the new sentence.
   • Then check whether that verb needs the listener straight after it or needs "to" first.
   • Next, choose the reporting verb that names that exactly.
   • First, read the spoken words and decide what the speaker was doing — stating, warning, promising or admitting.

6. 6.Which sentence is correct?

   • a) She told to me the answer.
   • b) She said me the answer.
   • c) She told me the answer.
   • d) She said me to wait.

7. 7.Sort each verb by whether the listener can be named straight after it, with nothing in between.

   Groups: Names the listener straight after · Needs "to" before the listener

   • inform
   • remind
   • reply
   • say
   • tell
   • explain

8. 8.Sort each phrase by the verb it goes with.

   Groups: say · tell

   • a lie
   • hello
   • a prayer
   • a story
   • sorry
   • the truth

Say, tell and other reporting verbs · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Write the one word that shows the speaker is certain: "Ravi's bag is here but his shoes are gone, so he ____ be outside."

2. 2.Which sentence says the speaker is certain that something is NOT true?

   • a) She must be the new librarian.
   • b) She cannot be the new librarian.
   • c) She might be the new librarian.
   • d) She should be the new librarian.

3. 3.Sort each sentence by what its modal verb is doing.

   Groups: Says there is no choice · Gives advice

   • Every rider must wear a helmet.
   • I think you should ask your teacher first.
   • You ought to apologise to her.
   • Visitors have to sign the register at the gate.
   • Passengers must show their tickets to the guard.
   • You should get more sleep before the exam.

4. 4.Which sentence gives advice in the mildest way?

   • a) You cannot see a doctor.
   • b) You have to see a doctor.
   • c) You ought to see a doctor.
   • d) You must see a doctor.

5. 5.Sort each sentence by whether it forbids something or simply says it is not necessary.

   Groups: Forbids it · Says it is not necessary

   • Players do not have to bring their own bats.
   • You must not open that door.
   • You do not have to open that door.
   • Players must not argue with the umpire.

6. 6.The classroom lights are off and the door is locked. Where is the class?

   • a) They cannot be inside.
   • b) They have to be inside.
   • c) They must be inside.
   • d) They should be inside.

7. 7.Fill the gap so that the sentence means there is no need at all: "There is plenty of time — we ____ leave before six."

8. 8.Sort each sentence by how sure the speaker is.

   Groups: Sure it is true · Not sure either way · Sure it is not true

   • That cannot be Ravi — he left for Delhi last week.
   • She could still be on the earlier bus.
   • He might be waiting at the other gate.
   • Her bag is here, so she must be inside.
   • The lights are on, so somebody must be at home.
   • It cannot be six already; the bell has not rung.

Modals of obligation and probability · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.By the time we reached the platform, the train ____.

   • a) had left
   • b) has left
   • c) leaves
   • d) is leaving

2. 2.Write one word: A story about events that are over and done with is normally written in the ____ tense.

3. 3.A radio commentator is describing a match as it happens. Which sentence fits?

   • a) Sharma will pass the ball to Khan.
   • b) Sharma had passed the ball to Khan.
   • c) Sharma passes the ball to Khan.
   • d) Sharma passed the ball to Khan.

4. 4.A newspaper is reporting a fire that broke out during the night. Which opening sentence fits?

   • a) A fire broke out at the grain market during the night.
   • b) A fire will break out at the grain market.
   • c) A fire is breaking out at the grain market.
   • d) A fire breaks out at the grain market.

5. 5.You are writing a set of instructions for making tea. Which sentence fits?

   • a) You boiled the water first.
   • b) Boil the water first.
   • c) You will have boiled the water first.
   • d) The water had been boiled first.

6. 6.Rewrite this as a story would tell it, in the past tense: "She opens the letter." Write the whole sentence.

7. 7.Sort each verb by its tense.

   Groups: Simple past · Past perfect

   • had walked
   • wrote
   • walked
   • had written
   • saw
   • had seen

8. 8.Sort each piece of writing by the tense it is normally written in.

   Groups: Past tense · Present tense

   • A fact about how bees make honey
   • A story about a journey you made last year
   • A diary entry about what happened at school today
   • A newspaper report of yesterday's match
   • A recipe for lemon rice
   • A description of how a bicycle pump works

Tense in stories and in reports · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Ravi is ____ tall as his brother.

   • a) so
   • b) as
   • c) more
   • d) than

2. 2.Complete with one word: "The bus grew fuller and ____ as we neared the city."

3. 3.Put the parts in order to make one correct sentence. Note the capital letter and the full stop.

   • gets.
   • The longer you wait,
   • your food
   • the colder

4. 4.This rope is twice ____ long as that one.

   • a) so
   • b) as
   • c) more
   • d) than

5. 5.Which sentence says the crowd kept on growing, minute after minute?

   • a) The crowd was as big as yesterday's.
   • b) The crowd grew bigger and bigger.
   • c) The crowd was twice as big as yesterday's.
   • d) The crowd was by far the biggest.

6. 6.Sort each sentence by whether it says the two things are level or that one is above the other.

   Groups: They are level · One is above the other

   • My bag weighs the same as yours.
   • Ravi is as tall as his sister.
   • My bag is lighter than yours.
   • This box is heavier than that one.
   • This box is as heavy as that one.
   • Ravi is taller than his sister.

7. 7.Sort each sentence by the comparison structure it is built on.

   Groups: as … as · the … the · twice as … as

   • The louder he shouted, the less they listened.
   • The earlier you start, the sooner you finish.
   • This jug holds twice as much as that one.
   • The store room is as cold as the veranda.
   • The new hall is twice as wide as the old one.
   • She is as quick as her cousin.

8. 8.Match each comparison to what it tells you.

   • as fast as the bus
   • not as fast as the bus
   • twice as fast as the bus
   • faster and faster
   • by far the fastest

   • the quickest of all, and easily so
   • exactly the same speed as the bus
   • two times the speed of the bus
   • getting quicker all the time
   • slower than the bus

Comparison structures · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Visitors can be counted one by one. Which phrase fits? A large ____ of visitors came to the fair.

   • a) quantity
   • b) amount
   • c) number
   • d) deal

2. 2.Put these words in order, from the smallest amount to the largest.

   • most
   • a few
   • all
   • none

3. 3.Sort each word or phrase by how much of something it means.

   Groups: All or nearly all · Some, but not many · None at all

   • most
   • several
   • none
   • not one
   • all
   • a few

4. 4.There is more than enough time, so nobody needs to hurry. Which word fills the gap? There is ____ of time.

   • a) many
   • b) several
   • c) much
   • d) plenty

5. 5.Ravi has two brothers, and each of them plays cricket. Which sentence uses the word that is only ever used for exactly two?

   • a) Both of them play cricket.
   • b) Several of them play cricket.
   • c) All of them play cricket.
   • d) Most of them play cricket.

6. 6.Sort each quantifier by the kind of noun it goes in front of.

   Groups: Nouns you can count · Nouns you cannot count

   • a little
   • a large amount of
   • a great deal of
   • several
   • both
   • a large number of

7. 7.Match each quantifier to the amount it describes.

   • all
   • most
   • several
   • a few
   • none

   • not one at all
   • every single one
   • nearly all, but not quite
   • more than two, but not many
   • a small number, though still some

8. 8.Which sentence is correct?

   • a) Most of students walk to school.
   • b) Most of student walk to school.
   • c) Most students walk to school.
   • d) The most students walk to school.

Quantifiers: how much and how many · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1."The old man walked slowly, leaning on a stick for support." Which single word in that sentence means "help to stay upright"?

2. 2."The instructions were ambiguous, so half the class did the wrong task." What does "ambiguous" mean?

   • a) written down
   • b) open to more than one meaning
   • c) very clear
   • d) spoken loudly

3. 3."The scarcity of water forced the village to dig a new well." What does "scarcity" mean?

   • a) plenty
   • b) sweetness
   • c) quality
   • d) shortage

4. 4.Match each term to its meaning.

   • a synonym
   • an antonym
   • context
   • a definition

   • a word with almost the same meaning
   • a word with the opposite meaning
   • the words around a word that hint at its meaning
   • a statement of exactly what a word means

5. 5."The path was so narrow that we had to walk in single file." What does "narrow" mean here?

   • a) wide
   • b) muddy
   • c) steep
   • d) not wide

6. 6."He spoke in a feeble voice that we could barely hear." What does "feeble" mean?

   • a) angry
   • b) weak
   • c) cheerful
   • d) loud

7. 7.Match each word to its meaning.

   • reluctant
   • abundant
   • vivid
   • fragile
   • weary
   • cautious

   • unwilling to do something
   • careful about danger
   • easily broken
   • very tired
   • present in large amounts
   • bright and clear

8. 8."The judge was impartial and favoured neither side." Which single word in that sentence means "fair to both sides"?

Vocabulary in context · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Everyone in the class came ____ Ravi, who was ill at home.

   • a) accept
   • b) exept
   • c) except
   • d) expect

2. 2.Match each word to its meaning.

   • stationary
   • stationery
   • principal
   • principle
   • desert
   • dessert

   • a dry, sandy land
   • paper, pens and envelopes
   • the head of a school
   • a rule you live by
   • standing still
   • the sweet course at the end of a meal

3. 3.Which sentence is correct?

   • a) Do not loose your ticket.
   • b) The screw is lose.
   • c) I always loose my pen.
   • d) Do not lose your ticket.

4. 4.Sort each sentence by the word that belongs in its gap.

   Groups: there · their · they're

   • The children left ____ bags on the bus.
   • Put the box over ____ by the door.
   • Is ____ any milk left?
   • ____ going to be late again.
   • I cannot find ____ address anywhere.
   • ____ waiting outside the gate.

5. 5.Write "its" or "it's": "The dog wagged ____ tail."

6. 6.Which sentence is correct?

   • a) She was quiete angry about it.
   • b) She was quiet angry about it.
   • c) She was quit angry about it.
   • d) She was quite angry about it.

7. 7.Sort each sentence by whether it is correct.

   Groups: Correct · Not correct

   • The rain did not effect the match.
   • Her advice was useful.
   • Please accept my apology.
   • Please except my apology.
   • The rain did not affect the match.
   • Her advise was useful.

8. 8.Sort each word by whether it names a thing or does an action.

   Groups: A noun — a thing · A verb — an action

   • advice
   • advise
   • believe
   • effect
   • affect
   • belief

Words that are easy to confuse · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Sort each clause by whether it could stand alone as a sentence.

   Groups: Main clause · Subordinate clause

   • although the door creaked
   • she opened the box
   • birds were singing
   • the shop was closed
   • when we arrived
   • because it was locked

2. 2.Which group of words is a phrase?

   • a) at the end of the road
   • b) although he tried
   • c) if you agree
   • d) before the sun rose

3. 3.Sort each group of words by whether it contains a verb.

   Groups: Contains a verb · Contains no verb

   • we waited
   • a red umbrella
   • under the bench
   • he was sleeping
   • very carefully
   • the birds flew

4. 4.In "We stayed indoors because it was raining", which part is the main clause?

   • a) We stayed indoors
   • b) because it was raining
   • c) it was raining
   • d) stayed indoors because

5. 5.Put the parts in order to make one correct sentence. More than one order works here.

   • because the road was closed
   • the bus took
   • to the town
   • a longer route

6. 6.Write the one word that begins the subordinate clause in "She smiled because she had won."

7. 7.Match each term to its meaning.

   • a phrase
   • a main clause
   • a subordinate clause
   • a subject
   • a predicate

   • the person or thing the clause is about
   • a clause that makes complete sense on its own
   • a group of words with no subject and verb of its own
   • what the clause says about its subject
   • a clause that depends on another clause

8. 8.How many clauses are there in "He ran fast, but he missed the bus"?

Phrases and clauses · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Match each subject to the verb that agrees with it.

   • Each of the boys
   • Both of the boys
   • The tray of glasses
   • The glasses on the tray

   • have finished
   • is on the shelf
   • are on the shelf
   • has finished

2. 2.Mathematics ____ my favourite subject.

   • a) are
   • b) were
   • c) have
   • d) is

3. 3.Each of the students ____ a copy of the map.

   • a) have
   • b) were
   • c) are
   • d) has

4. 4.Sort each subject by the verb form it needs.

   Groups: Takes a singular verb · Takes a plural verb

   • Every student
   • One of my friends
   • Many students
   • Both of the girls
   • Some of my friends
   • Each of the girls

5. 5.Neither the brothers nor Ravi ____ coming.

   • a) is
   • b) have
   • c) are
   • d) were

6. 6.Write "is" or "are": The bunch of keys ____ missing.

7. 7.Write "has" or "have": Every one of the players ____ arrived.

8. 8.Neither Ravi nor his brothers ____ coming.

   • a) are
   • b) has
   • c) is
   • d) was

Agreement with a tricky subject · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Write one word: "____ she finish her homework last night?"

2. 2.Sort each question by the kind of answer it expects.

   Groups: Yes or no · More than yes or no

   • How well can Ravi swim?
   • Did she finish the book?
   • Where are you going?
   • Why did she stop reading?
   • Are you coming with us?
   • Can Ravi swim?

3. 3.Somebody broke the window. Which question asks who that somebody was?

   • a) Whom broke the window?
   • b) Who did the window break?
   • c) Who did broke the window?
   • d) Who broke the window?

4. 4.Which is a correctly formed negative question?

   • a) Not did you see the notice?
   • b) Didn't you see the notice?
   • c) Did you not saw the notice?
   • d) Did not you see the notice?

5. 5.Match each statement to its yes-or-no question form.

   • She is reading.
   • She reads every day.
   • She read the whole book.
   • She has read the whole book.
   • She can read Tamil.

   • Does she read every day?
   • Has she read the whole book?
   • Can she read Tamil?
   • Is she reading?
   • Did she read the whole book?

6. 6.Which is correct?

   • a) Did she went to the fair?
   • b) Did she go to the fair?
   • c) Did she gone to the fair?
   • d) Did she goes to the fair?

7. 7.Put the parts in order to make one correct question. Note the capital letter and the question mark.

   • Why
   • did the meeting
   • start so
   • late?

8. 8.Sort each question by whether "who" is the one doing the action or the one it is done to.

   Groups: Who is doing it · Who it is done to

   • Who called Ravi?
   • Who taught the class?
   • Who did the teacher praise?
   • Who did Ravi call?

Asking questions · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Put the steps of deciding where a comma goes in the right order.

   • First, find the clause that could stand alone as a sentence — that is the main clause.
   • Next, find the other clause, the one beginning with a word like when, because or although.
   • Then check which of the two comes first in the sentence.
   • Last, put a comma after the subordinate clause only if it came first.

2. 2.Write the one word the comma should come straight after: "Although the shop was closed we knocked anyway."

3. 3.In which sentence is the comma wrong?

   • a) Our neighbour, who is a nurse, works nights.
   • b) Before we left, we locked the gate.
   • c) It was late, so we took a taxi.
   • d) We locked the gate, before we left.

4. 4.Sort each sentence by whether its comma is in the right place or the wrong one.

   Groups: Right place · Wrong place

   • After the film, ended we walked home.
   • After the film ended, we walked home.
   • Because she was late, she missed the bus.
   • Because, she was late she missed the bus.

5. 5.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

   • a) However, we could not find the key.
   • b) However we could not, find the key.
   • c) How ever, we could not find the key.
   • d) However we could not find the key.

6. 6.Meera has exactly one brother. Which sentence is punctuated correctly for her?

   • a) My, brother who lives in Pune is a doctor.
   • b) My brother who lives in Pune, is a doctor.
   • c) My brother, who lives in Pune, is a doctor.
   • d) My brother, who lives in Pune is a doctor.

7. 7.Match each rule to the sentence that follows it.

   • A clause that comes before the main clause
   • A clause that comes after the main clause
   • Two main clauses joined by a joining word
   • An extra piece of information dropped into the middle

   • Our house, which is very old, has no fan at all.
   • The lights went out, but we had a candle.
   • When the lights went out, we lit a candle.
   • We lit a candle when the lights went out.

8. 8.Rewrite this with one comma added: "When the gates opened the crowd rushed in." Write the whole sentence.

Commas with clauses · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.Answer in one word. The lake piece says a plastic bag thrown into the lake stays there for a hundred years. Which single word does the piece itself use for that length of time?

2. 2.Match each opening line to the kind of writing it begins.

   • Dear Sir, I am writing to complain about the state of the road outside our school.
   • Take two cups of rice and wash them well.
   • It was the coldest morning of the year, and the gate was frozen shut.
   • All students are informed that the library will be closed on Friday.
   • Nine out of ten dentists say so. Try it today.

   • An advertisement
   • A letter of complaint
   • A recipe
   • A notice
   • A story

3. 3.The coriander piece reads: "To grow coriander on a windowsill, fill a shallow tray with loose soil. Scatter the seeds thinly and press them down with your palm. Water the tray until the soil is damp but not wet. Keep the tray where the morning sun reaches it, and cut the leaves when they are the length of your thumb." Which of these does it NOT tell you?

   • a) Where to keep the tray.
   • b) How deep to plant the seeds.
   • c) When to cut the leaves.
   • d) How wet the soil should be.

4. 4.Read this. "To grow coriander on a windowsill, fill a shallow tray with loose soil. Scatter the seeds thinly and press them down with your palm. Water the tray until the soil is damp but not wet. Keep the tray where the morning sun reaches it, and cut the leaves when they are the length of your thumb." Why was this written?

   • a) To describe a garden the writer once saw.
   • b) To warn the reader about damp soil.
   • c) To argue that coriander is the best herb to grow.
   • d) To tell the reader how to grow coriander.

5. 5.The lake piece ends: "The lake cannot clean itself." What is that last sentence doing?

   • a) Naming the people who will be there.
   • b) Telling the reader what time to arrive.
   • c) Describing the colour of the water.
   • d) Reminding the reader why their help is needed.

6. 6.Put the steps of working out why a piece was written in the right order.

   • Next, look at what kind of sentences it is made of — statements, instructions or questions.
   • First, read the whole piece once through without stopping.
   • Then ask what the writer wants you to do or think by the end of it.
   • Last, check your answer against the piece itself, line by line.

7. 7.Sort each piece of writing by why it was written.

   Groups: To tell you how to do something · To make you agree or act · To explain how something works

   • An article on how a monsoon forms
   • A page explaining why the sky looks blue
   • A recipe for lemon rice
   • A leaflet asking you to give blood
   • The steps for mending a bicycle chain
   • A poster urging people to save water

8. 8.The coriander piece tells you to press the seeds down with your palm. Why is that there?

   • a) To persuade the reader that coriander tastes good.
   • b) To tell the reader exactly what to do at that step.
   • c) To describe the writer's own hands.
   • d) To explain why seeds are small.

Reading: why the writer wrote it · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn

1. 1.A notice must be short. Which sentence gives the same information in the fewest words?

   • a) On the first Saturday of next month, which is quite soon, the trip will take place, so please note it down.
   • b) I would like to tell everybody that the trip is going to take place on the first Saturday of next month.
   • c) The trip will take place on the first Saturday of next month.
   • d) The trip, which everyone has been waiting for, is on the first Saturday of next month, as you will all be glad to hear.

2. 2.Write one word: A good notice answers four questions — what, when, where — and, naming the people it is for, ____.

3. 3.Which of these should a notice NOT contain?

   • a) The date it was put up.
   • b) The name of the person who issued it.
   • c) A greeting such as "Dear friends".
   • d) The place where the event will be held.

4. 4.This is a school notice. Tap the part that says, in a few words, what the notice is about.

   Write the number of the part.

5. 5.Sort each detail by whether it belongs in a telephone message.

   Groups: Belongs in the message · Does not belong

   • Your full postal address
   • The time the call came
   • What the caller wants done
   • The name of the caller
   • Your opinion of the caller's voice
   • A long description of the weather

6. 6.Sort each line by whether it belongs in a notice or in a friendly letter.

   Groups: A notice · A friendly letter

   • All students going on the museum trip are informed that it has been postponed.
   • Venue: the school auditorium
   • Do write back soon and tell me everything!
   • Dear Meera,
   • Yours affectionately,
   • Interested students may give their names to the class teacher.

7. 7.You take a telephone call for your mother while she is out. Which of these must the message include?

   • a) A paragraph about how your day went.
   • b) Who called and what they said.
   • c) Your own postal address.
   • d) A closing such as "Yours sincerely".

8. 8.Sort each line by whether it is written about people or straight to them.

   Groups: About them · To them

   • All students are informed that the hall will be locked.
   • You must bring your own water bottle.
   • Please give me your name before Friday.
   • Interested candidates may apply at the office.

Writing a notice and a message · Year 8 English · www.arenapublications.com/learn