English – Reading Comprehension, Language, and Writing – Year 4 – 2019 Page 1 of 12

DEPARTMENT FOR CURRICULUM,

LIFELONG LEARNING AND EMPLOYABILITY

Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes

Educational Assessment Unit

Annual Examinations for Primary Schools 2019

Year 4 ENGLISH Time: 1h 15min

(Reading Comprehension, Language and Writing)

Name: ____________________________ Class: ___________

Total: 60 marks

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A. Reading Comprehension 20 marks A. 1. Look at the following poster.

1. Complete the sentences. Fill in each blank with information from the text. (2 marks)

a) The amount of money given to the one who finds Mrs Scarum is

____________________.

b) The phone number people have to call to inform the police is

____________________.

WANTED

Mrs Scarum is wanted for

kidnapping a cat.

Last seen in Theo and Dodie’s

kitchen wearing pyjamas.

€500 REWARD

This woman is very dangerous! If you

see her, do NOT talk to her. Call the

police immediately on the following

number 21571234.

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2. Tick () to show whether these sentences are True or False. (2 marks)

True False Example: Mrs Scarum is a wanted woman.

a) Mrs Scarum kidnapped an animal. b) She was in the bedroom when she was last seen. c) The poster encourages people to speak to Mrs Scarum. d) This poster was created to show that a woman is lost.

A. 2. Read the following passage carefully.

The Surprise Cake

Dodie Blossom began to open cupboards. “Sugar, eggs, jam and flour,” she chanted. “A bowl, a sieve, two spoons and a whisk!” The table was soon covered with all the things Dodie thought a cook might need. “Now, shoo!” said Mrs Scarum. “This is going to be a surprise cake. No peeping while I work.” “A surprise,” breathed Dodie, already half-covering her eyes. Turning to her brother, “Come on, Theo, let’s watch TV until the surprise is ready.” But Theo waited just out of sight, or so he thought, behind the open door. He wanted to know what secret ingredients were going into this mysterious cake. Mrs Scarum didn’t weigh the flour like Theo’s mother did. She just tossed it carelessly into the bowl, every scrap, until it rose in the air and filled the kitchen with drifting clouds. She juggled the eggs, four at a time, before breaking them into Mrs Blossom’s best blue jug. And then she hunted through the cupboards, sniffing and humming. At last she found a tiny bottle and brought it into the light. She gave a giggle of glee. It was their father’s precious clock oil for mending clocks, and Theo couldn’t help a little gasp of surprise.

Page 4 of 12 English – Reading Comprehension, Language, and Writing – Year 4 – 2019

The old woman, squinting at the twilight-coloured windowpane, spied a shadowy reflection above the shining rows of marmalade: a boy and his cat. “Boy,” she said. “Don’t snoop. Just leave your cat and go.” “I won’t leave my cat,” said Theo. Before he turned away, he sneaked one quick look into the kitchen and saw Mrs Scarum pull something from her pocket. Beside the big white mixing-bowl she laid a dark and crumpled object. “A witch’s hat,” breathed Theo, tiptoeing away.

(Adapted from The Witch’s Tears by Jenny Nimmo)

1a) Tick () the pictures of the ingredients that Dodie put on the table. (2 marks)

□ □

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b) Tick () the pictures of the utensils that Dodie put on the table.

(2 marks)

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□ □ □

□

□ □ □

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2. Match the bold words found in the text with their meaning on the right. (2 marks)

“chanted” investigate in order to discover something

“humming” not in its original form – scrunched up

“glee” singing with closed lips

“snoop” great delight

“crumpled” talked in a sing-song voice 3. Answer the following questions.

a) Why did Mrs Scarum want the children to leave the kitchen? ________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________ (2 marks)

b) Did both children obey? How do you know? ________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________ (2 marks)

c) What secret ingredient did Mrs Scarum add to her mysterious cake? ________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

d) Give two reasons why Theo was thinking that Mrs Scarum was a witch. Reason 1: ________________________________________________

Reason 2: ________________________________________________

________________________________________________________ (2 marks)

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4. Put the sentences in the order of events in the passage. The first one has been done for you. Write the numbers 2 to 7 in the correct box. (3 marks)

She tossed the flour in the bowl. After, she looked through the cupboards for another ingredient. Mrs Scarum pulled a dark object from her pocket. Then she added the eggs. Dodie prepared all the ingredients on the table. 1 Mrs Scarum found a tiny bottle. Mrs Scarum made the children leave the kitchen.

B. Language 10 marks B. 1. Read and complete the sentences by writing what happened. The words in brackets will help you. The first* one is an example. (5 marks) The next morning, Theo looked* (look) out of the window.

He ________________ (run) downstairs as fast as he could.

Dodie and his mother ________________ (are) in the kitchen, having their

breakfast.

Theo ________________ (sit) down at the table.

Dodie ________________ (call) the cat, but Flora ________________ (do

not / come).

Why ________________ (do) Theo’s mother ________________ (open) the

front door?

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The postman ________________ (is) there and Mrs Blossom

________________ (tell) him that she was not sure where her husband was.

The postman ________________ (reply) that Mrs Blossom’s husband was safe

but he was waiting for the snow to stop.

B. 2. Meet Dodie. Read her profile and continue the sentences using the words below. Look at the example*. One of the words is extra. (5 marks)

because and when so or but although

Name: My name is Dodie and* I live in England.

Address: I prefer large houses __________________ I

live in a flat.

Pets: I do not like insects, snakes _________________ tigers.

Interests: __________________ I do not attend swimming lessons,

I am a good swimmer.

Places visited: I have never visited another country __________________

planes frighten me.

Wish: __________________ I am older, I want to work as a teacher.

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C. Writing 30 marks

C. 1. This week is Food Week at school and your class teacher has asked you to share your special recipes with your classmates. Fill in the ingredients and write your recipe of a special sandwich you like to make. Do not forget to include a secret ingredient. (6 marks)

The method – To make the special sandwich: 1. First, __________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________.

2. _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________.

3. _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________.

4. _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________.

A special sandwich

Ingredients:

____________ ____________

____________ ____________

____________ ____________

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C.2. In your garage you have a bicycle which you do not use anymore. Write an advertisement to put up at school so that you can sell it.

Remember to use describing words and to use all the points on the left. (6 marks)

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Insert title here:

You need to include these points:

a detailed description of the bike,

how long you have had it for,

its condition, a telephone

number and/or email address, and

the price.

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C. 3. Composition (18 marks)

Write ten sentences or a paragraph, between 70 and 100 words on ONE of the following:

1. At your school, there is a short story competition and you would like to take part. After looking at the picture carefully, write a story with the title: The picnic I’ll never forget.

The following words may help you: sunny day, countryside, excited, birds chirping, perfect spot, delicious food.

2. You have a friend who lives abroad who wants to know more about the

islands you live on. Using the given information, write a letter describing the Maltese Islands.

Islands Position Population

and Languages

Traditional Food

Places of interest

Popular Activities

Malta Gozo Comino

middle of the Mediterranean Sea

435 thousand people Maltese and English

stew, pies, baked pasta

museums, temples, lovely beaches, churches, Valletta Mdina and Citadel

Christmas (decorated streets, cribs), Carnival (floats, costumes, parades), village feasts (fireworks, patron Saint, bands)

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3. Your school is asking students to nominate books to other students in Year 4 which they can read during the summer holidays. Write a letter to a Year 4 student called Sam who attends a different school. In this letter describe your favourite book and say why Sam would enjoy reading it. The school’s address is: Saint Rita College, Republic Street, Rabat, RBT1234.

4. Your teacher has asked you to write about an experience you have had in Year 4 that you will never forget which she will then put up on the school noticeboard. Write about an unforgettable experience you have had with your classmates.

Title Number: ________

Plan your writing in the space below. (2 marks)

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Title Number: __________

Use your plan to write about the title.

Write between 70 and 100 words. Write neatly and correctly.

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