Developed from resources originally created by D. Thomson, Kilmarnock Academy. Last updated – June 2015.

Reading Through developing my knowledge of context clues, punctuation, grammar and layout, I can read with increasing fluency, understanding and expression. Eng 3-12

Writing As appropriate to my purpose and type of text, I can punctuate and structure different types of sentences with sufficient accuracy, and arrange these to make meaning clear, showing straightforward relationships between paragraphs. Lit 3-22aThroughout the writing process, I can review and edit my writing to ensure that it meets its purpose and communicates meaning at first reading.Lit 3-23a

This is your English Language Homework Booklet. You will use it this year to help you develop the skills you need to improve your English. As you will be using it all year, you must take care of it.

Complete one exercise each week or complete each exercise as directed by your English teacher.

Each exercise contains an explanation of a grammar point and a task to check that you have understood what has been explained. You should neatly write all of your answers in the booklet.

If you do not understand one of the exercises, you must let your teacher know so that it can be explained in more detail.

This booklet will help you with a number of skills. In particular, you will be looking at developing the skills found in the following Experiences and Outcomes:

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You will often be asked to peer or self assess the tasks in this booklet. This will help you to understand how to improve your work.

In order to do this you should use the following code:

Use the tick sign if the answer is correct.

Use the cross sign if the answer is incorrect.

Use the plus sign if part of the answer is correct.

There is a space at the bottom of the page for you to put your mark.

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Nouns

A noun is a naming word. It is a word for a person, place or thing.

Common nouns are used for general

persons places thingsgirl house deskboy church chairteacher school pendoctor library cup

proper nouns are used for particular

people places things Mr Jackson Glasgow days

Jane Scotland Road monthsLaura Ireland titles

You can spot proper nouns easily as they must always begin with a capital letter.

You know that nouns are naming words. As well as common nouns and proper nouns, there are also:

collective nouns abstract nounsThe name for a special group The name for something we of people or animals: cannot see, hear or touch,

such as feelings or ideas:- audience of people:- herd of cattle - love - hatred- flock of sheep - truth - happiness

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Task 1

Underline the common nouns and circle the proper nouns in the following sentences:

1. Linda had been studying for her Higher Maths exam since last Tuesday.

2. The Odeon was showing the new ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film last month.

3. Dylan tidied his room by making the bed, putting away his clothes and by opening the windows.

4. Jillian needed to go into town to buy some new clothes, including party dresses and a coat. She also needed to pick up some groceries from Tesco, and if she had time, some tickets for the concert at the Hydro.

Task 2

Write down what type of noun each of the following words is:

boy Stephen troop_________ _________ _________evil station class_________ _________ _________sadness crowd imagination_________ _________ _________team hope courage_________ _________ _________chair needle swarm_________ _________ _________France group bunch _________ _________ _________September computer table_________ _________ _________Regiment ambition Karen _________ _________ _________

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Verbs

A verb is a doing or being word.Example: Action:

He walked to the shops. WalkingShe felt excited. FeelingThey laughed at the show. Laughing

Task 3 Underline the verb in each sentence:

1. The cat fought with the dog.2. Jamie writes stories.3. The boy cried when he lost the race.4. Kirsty rode her bike to school.5. Roses grew in the park.

Some sentences also contain a verb phrase. This is a main verb plus a helping verb.

E.g. I have talked to him. She is listening to music.

Task 4Underline the verbs in the sentences below. Remember to look for verb phrases.

1. Stuart ate all the cakes and the crisps.

2. Have you seen my handbag?

3. I read the magazine then I watched TV.

4. You have really grown since I last saw you.

5. We are moving at the end of the month.

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Verbs

Agreement of the verb with its subjectA singular (when there is one) subject must be followed by a singular verb. A plural (more than one) subject is followed by a plural verb.

E.g. The height of the walls was increased. (Singular) The walls of the city were destroyed. (Plural)

Task 5

Complete the sentences with the correct answer.

1. The absence of the pupils _______________ reported. (was, were)

2. The boys of the school _____________ taught swimming. (is, are)

3. The majority of the noise __________ made by the girls. (was, were)

4. In general his answers ____________ correct. (is, are)

5. Most of his money ______________ been lost. (has, have)

6. The bikes in the shop _____________ very expensive. (is, are)

7. Most of the neighbours ____________ friendly. (was, were)

8. Almost all of the girls ____________ nice. (was, were)

9. Craig _________ learning to swim. (is, are)

10. Most of his plans ________________ failed. (has, have)

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The Present Tense

The present tense is the one that we use to say what is happening at this moment. A verb changes in form depending on which “person” you are describing.

Examples: I eat you eat (singular) he/she/it eats we eat you eat (plural) they eat

If we want to show that the action is going on for some time, we use are and add ing to the verb.

E.g. They are eating dinner (and have been for half an hour).

Task 6

Change the following sentences into the present tense. You should give both possible versions.

Example I ran uphill. I run uphill I am running uphill.

1. I walked to the shops.

I ____________ to the shops.

I _____ ___________to the shops.

2. I ate chocolate. I _____________ chocolate.

I ____ ____________chocolate.

3. Lisa went to Brownies.

Lisa __________ to Brownies.

Lisa _____ _________to Brownies.

4. Stuart painted pictures.

Stuart __________pictures.

Stuart ____ ________pictures.

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The Future Tense

The future tense is the one we use to say what is going to happen in the future and has not happened yet. To do this we usually use “will” or “shall”. e.g. I learn I will learn.

If we want to show it will happen over a long period of time it should be: I am staying I will be staying.

Task 7

Complete the following sentences in the future tense.

E.g.I am learning German. I will be learning German.

1. I am learning French.

I ____ ____ __________ French.

2. I watch ‘Eastenders’.

I ______ __________ ‘Eastenders’.

3. Lisa arrived on Monday.

Lisa ______ ___________ on Monday.

4. Michael is studying tonight.

Michael _____ _____ ___________ tonight.

5. Adam read that book.

Adam _______ _________ that book.

6. They swam for one hour.

They _______ _________ for one hour.

7. They ran 4 miles on Monday.

They _____ ________ 4 miles on Monday.

8. Shane did his homework after school.

Shane ______ ______ his homework after school.

9. Sandra worked hard on Thursday.

Sandra _____ ________ hard on Thursday.

10. We left on Saturday.

We _____ _________ on Saturday.

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The Past Tense

The past tense is the tense we use to say what has happened before and is no longer happening.

Most ‘weak’ verbs add ‘ed’ to form the past tense. E.g. walk = walked call = called

‘Strong’ verbs change when they are put into the past tense. Examples: eat = ate is = was drink = drank have = had sing = sang cry = cried

Task 8

Change the following sentences into the past tense.

1. I swim. I ______________. 2. She cries at sad films. She ___________ at sad films. 3. Kevin likes going on the roller coaster.

Kevin __________ going on the roller coaster.

4. We watch T.V. in the afternoons. We ___________ T.V in the afternoons.

5. They run to the swing park. They ________ to the swing park. 6. They eat their food quickly. They ________ their food quickly. 7. Sally goes jogging in the park regularly.

Sally _________ in the park regularly.

8. Joanne is kicking a can. Joanne _____________ a can. 9. Lisa is reading a comic. Lisa _______ a comic. 10. The children clap after the team score.

The children __________ after the team score.

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Active and Passive

Verbs can be used in two different ways. We call these active and passive ‘voices.’

The Active Voice: Stuart pushed the trolley. In this sentence, Stuart (the subject) is doing the action of pushing.

The Passive Voice: The trolley was pushed by Stuart. Here, the trolley (subject) was having the action done to it.

The ‘active’ voice is stronger and more direct than the ‘passive’ voice. The ‘active’ is normally shorter and easier but we use the ‘passive’ to give a different emphasis.

Task 9

Change the following ‘active’ sentences into ‘passive’ sentences.

1. Lisa drank the juice.

The juice was _____________________________________________.

2. The cleaner waters the plants every week.

The plants are ____________________________________________.

3. We walk the dog every day.

The dog is _______________________________________________.

4. Jamie collects Nicola from school.

Nicola is ________________________________________________.

5. The boy hid the watch.

The watch was ___________________________________________.

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Adverbs

Adverbs are words that tell us more about verbs and other words.

There are different types of adverbs:

Examples: Examples: Examples:The train arrives slowly. I posted the letter yesterday. Let’s meet here.The girls skipped happily I’ll get it later. Put it over there.

Task 10 Choose one of the adverbs to fill in the blanks in the sentences. Only use each word once.

slowly loudly quickly angrily brightly

1. I want you to shout ________________.

2. The sun shone _______________ when we were on holiday.

3. The baby crawled ______________ across the floor.

4. He glared ______________ at the boy.

5. The girl ran ______________ across the road.

Task 11 Change the following adjectives into adverbs.

1. calm = ____________ 2. quiet = _______________

3. sad = _____________ 4. frosty = ______________

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Adverbs of mannermanner

Adverbs of time

Adverbsof place

Tell us how something is done. You can often spot these as they end in ‘ly’.

Tell us when

Tell us where

Pronouns

A pronoun is a word used to refer to a person or thing without giving a name. This is used instead of a noun.

Examples:it she he them us myself

Task 12Choose a pronoun from the list below and complete the following sentences. Only use each pronoun once.

yourself she I you somehim us it himself any

1. Do ________ want to go to the cinema?

2. Our aunt gave ________ some sweets.

3. That is Adam’s book. It belongs to _________.

4. I made ten pounds. Did you make ____________?

5. Look after __________ when you are away.

6. This is Katie’s picture that _________ painted.

7. _____ am going to the disco on Saturday.

8. Angus brushed his teeth and dressed _____________.

9. I’m having soup. Do you want ____________?

10.I can’t find the book. I’m sure I left ________ here.

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Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are used to refer to the nouns or pronouns which have already been used earlier in the sentence. They are useful for joining two sentences together.

E.g. This is a girl. Her mother is a clothes designer.

becomes

There is a girl whose mother is a clothes designer.

Relative Pronouns Use Who/whom Used for people.Whose Used mainly for people but can also refer to things. Which Used for things and animals. That Used to replace ‘which’. It refers to things and

people.

Task 13

Complete the sentences below by filling in the blanks with an appropriate relative pronoun.

1. I went swimming with Kirsty _____________ lives next door to me.

2. This is the top __________ I bought for the party.

3. I lost the ring ___________ my gran gave to me.

4. That is the girl __________ sister got married.

5. I finished the cake __________ my mum baked yesterday.

6. I read the book __________ my English teacher recommended.

7. I went to Spain with my cousin ___________ is a year older than me.

8. There is a new series on MTV ____________ is my favourite channel.

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Adjectives

An adjective is a word used to tell us more about a noun or pronoun.

E.g. She had sparkling blue eyes.

adjectives noun

Task 14

Underline the adjectives in the following sentences.

1. The hungry lion killed its prey.2. The little boy held his mother’s hand when crossing the busy road.3. The children believed the house was haunted.4. Michael had brown, messy hair that fell over his eyes. 5. The house was massive!

Writers use adjectives to make their writing more interesting. Adjectives can also add atmosphere.

A writer could simply write: ‘The wind blew through the branches of the forest.’

However, here, the addition of the adjectives, screeching, icy, bare, jagged, tree, dark and desolate help to create a bleak atmosphere: E.g. ‘The screeching, icy wind howled through the bare, jagged tree branches of the dark, desolate forest.’

Task 15

Write descriptive sentences using adjectives for the following scenes:

1. The ___________ ____________ house looked haunted.

2. The ________ sun shone down on to the ________ _______ beach.

3. The _______________ wind blew against the ____________ hut.

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Forms of AdjectivesThere are three forms of adjectives that you can use to describe a noun or pronoun.

Forms Add Example 1 Example 2Ordinary Lynne is young. The card is

special. Comparative ‘er’ or

‘more’Lynne is younger than Paula.

This card is more special.

Superlative ‘est’ or ‘most’

Susan is the youngest in the class.

This one is the most special.

Be careful, though, as not all adjectives follow the pattern above.

Task 16

Insert the correct form of the adjective using the word in the bracket.

1. Craig had the __________ test mark in the class. (bad)

2. Lynn is a __________ girl. (pretty)

3. Christine is ______________ than Claire. (old)

4. Lee is the _____________ boy of three. (small)

5. This CD is ____________________ than that one. (expensive)

6. Ross was ____________ than Anna. (tall)

7. That boulder was the ____________ one they had lifted. (heavy)

8. Those flowers are the ______________ I have seen. (bright)

9. This homework is the _______________ one I have to do. (easy)

10. My school is the ______________ in the area. (big)

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Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words used to join words or clauses. You should use them in your own writing to lengthen you sentences and add variety.

Note: A clause is a group of words which acts as a single unit and is built around a verb.

E.g. He lives in Scotland.

Task 17

Use one of the conjunctions in the list below to join two of the sentences together. Write the completed sentence below. Only use each conjunction once. The first one has been done for you.

then but if until because

1. Susan got up at ten. A. You water the flowers.

2. Jim drinks coffee. B. She went to bed.

3. I will clean the car. C. This programme is over.

4. I won’t go to bed. D. She was on holiday.

5. Rhiannon brushed her teeth. E. He doesn’t drink tea.

1. Susan got up at ten because she was on holiday. _________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________________

5. _________________________________________________________

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Verb

Prepositions

Prepositions are the words used to show what one person or thing has to do with another person or thing.

Examples:over under between on

Task 18

Choose a preposition from the list and complete the following sentences. Use each preposition only once.

on before over into past up near under

1. Put the lid ________________ the potato pot please.

2. Your jacket is in the cupboard _____________ the stairs.

3. Her house is the first one _______________ the sweet shop.

4. The boy climbed _____________ the fence to escape.

5. I’ll drop you off ________________ your house.

6. We will need to get _________________ at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning.

7. Put your toys back ___________ the toy box!

8. Brush your teeth ______________ you go to bed.

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Sentence Types

Sentences finish with different punctuation marks depending on the sentence type.

A STATEMENT ends with a full stop. E.g. We’ve got the best bargains. A QUESTION ends with a question mark. E.g. Have you booked a holiday? An IMPERATIVE statement (command) ends with a full stop. E.g. Send for our brochure today. An EXCLAMATION ends with an exclamation mark. E.g. What a bargain!

Task 19

Complete the following sentences by adding the correct punctuation mark and stating what type of sentence it is.

Sentence Punctuation Sentence TypeE.g. Did you buy any chocolate today ? Question

1. We went for a walk yesterday

2. Are you busy tomorrow evening

3. You can’t wear that

4. Can you afford to miss this opportunity

5. Where are you going on holiday this year

6. It was amazing

7. Go to the shops now

8. I will be twenty on my birthday

9. I can hardly believe this is happening

10. Can you believe this is happening to me

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Alphabetical Order

When you are asked to put words into alphabetical order, you begin by looking at the first letter of each word. The word that begins with the letter nearest the beginning of the alphabet comes first.

If two or more words begin with the same letter then you should look at the next letter in each word and apply the same rules.

E.g. carrot clay crayon

Task 20

Put the following lists of words into alphabetical order.

1. Chair Desk Computer Folder Book

2. Monkey Dog Cat Mouse Horse

3. House Caravan Bungalow Apartment Flat

4. Canada Japan France Australia Iceland

5. Pear Lychee Orange Apple Banana

6. Exercise Early Edinburgh Elephant Estimate

7. Where When Why Who What

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Exclamation Marks

Exclamation marks are used to mark the end of a sentence which shows a strong emotion such as:

joy: What a day it has been!excitement: They made it to the finals!

Exclamation marks are often used for brief commands or instructions:

Turn out that light!Be quiet!

Task 1

Add an exclamation mark to the sentences that need one.

1. I thought it was not at all believable.2. Unbelievable.3. That was stupendous.4. It had been an okay day. 5. She won the race. 6. It was horrific. 7. Close that door. 8. I was wondering if you could keep the noise down a little bit. 9. Keep the noise down. 10. Be quiet.

Now write down 3 sentences that need an exclamation mark:

1._________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

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Question Marks

A direct question is something like direct speech where the actual words spoken are written down:

What do you want for pudding?

Indirect questions do not use the exact words of a question and so do not need a question mark. The words of the question are reported, as in indirect speech:

The policeman was asked whether he had any clues.

Task 2

Add question marks to the sentences that require them. Think about whether they are indirect or direct questions.

1. I asked whether she wanted to come to the cinema

2. What is the matter with you

3. What time is the last train

4. I asked him what the matter was

5. How was your holiday

6. He asked about her health

7. Julie asked Chloe why she had been so late

8. When will you arrive

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Colons

A colon is used before a list:

The following were nominated for the award: Higgins, Hopkins and Healy.

A colon can also be used to show that a quotation will follow:

She used the following quotation: ‘This too shall pass.’

Task 3

Add colons to the following sentences:

1. He needed four ingredients flour, yeast, milk and eggs.2. Aladdin remembered the magic words ‘Open Sesame!’3. Our last five games are against the following opposition Melbourne,

Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania.

Now write down 5 sentences that need a colon:

1._________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________________

5. _________________________________________________________

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Semi-Colons

These definitions are very simplified!

A semi-colon is used to separate two closely connected statements which are of equal importance.

They are either in contrast or the second one explains the first.e.g. John is very tall; his sister is very short. (contrast)

John is very tall; he takes after his parents. (explanation)

Semi-colons can also be used in lists to separate items of several words. e.g. For this recipe I need the following: four steaks; about a quarter-of-an-inch thick; several shallots; some sour cream and some cooking brandy.

Task 4

Add in the semi colons to the following sentences:

1. Craig joined the Army Darren joined the Marines.

2. It was the best of times it was the worst of times.

3. Terry always slept with the light on he was afraid of the dark.

4. Greece is a beautiful country the people are friendly and the beaches are empty.

5. I hate rice pudding dairy products don't agree with me.

Now write down 3 sentences that need a colon:

1._________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

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The Apostrophe

PossessionWe often use an apostrophe to show who something belongs to. The position of the apostrophe depends on the number of owners. You should put the apostrophe before the ‘s’ if it is singular and put it after the ‘s’ if it is plural. Examples: The cat’s basket = the basket belonging to the cat. (1 cat)The cats’ basket = the basket belonging to the cats. (more than 1 cat)

Exception to the rule:Put the apostrophe before the ‘s’ if the plural of the word is different from the singular.Examples: The child’s toys were in a box. The children’s toys were in a box.

Task 5Add an apostrophe to the following phrases:

1. The dogs bone. (1 dog) 2. The dogs ball. (2 dogs)3. The girls dresses. (2 girls) 4. The elephants tusks. (1 elephant) 5. The ladys hat.

Contraction Apostrophes can also be used to abbreviate words. The apostrophe is placed where the missing letters would be. Examples Cannot can’t I am I’m

Task 6 Use apostrophes to shorten the following words and phrases.

1. Should have __________________2. Could not __________________3. Let us __________________4. She is __________________

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Inverted Commas

Inverted commas (“ ”)are used to mark speech. Only the words that have actually been said are placed inside the inverted commas.E.g. “My name is John,” he said. He said, “My name is John.”

When what is actually said comes before who said it, a comma, an exclamation mark or a question mark is placed before the inverted commas are closed. When what is said comes after who said it, a comma is placed before the inverted commas are opened.

Task 6

Complete the following sentences. Put inverted commas around the words actually said. Add in the necessary commas, question marks and exclamation marks.

1. I need to go to the hospital she moaned.

2. Where is the train station enquired Jason.

3. He shouted go to your room now.

4. Claire asked are you going out tonight.

5. Over here shouted Connor. Sarah replied no, this way.

Single inverted commas are used for the titles of books, films, songs etc.

Examples: ‘Hollyoaks’ ‘Matilda’ ‘Jaws’

Task 7 Add capitals and single inverted commas to the titles below.

1. Did you see coronation street last night?

2. I read the tulip touch by Ann Fine.

3. My mum buys bella magazine every week.

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